Taiwanese artist Chen Chun-Hao is bringing an ancient art form back to life through an incongruous medium. Instead of a brush, Chen uses a nailgun, and instead of ink, headless “mosquito nails.” One might think it difficult to achieve the subtle effects of a brushstroke with such a clunky mechanical instrument, and it is: a single nailgun painting can involve over 750,000 nails, and many hours. Chen has discovered a technique for varying the density and protrusion of the nails, giving depth to the art when it’s seen from far away. Read more.

Most of the works are copied from examples of Shan Shui (mountain/water) painting, a style popular from the Song Dynasty to the Ming Dynasty (roughly 1000 – 1500 CE). Copying has long had its place in the Chinese arts, but it might be more accurate to say that Chen is recreating the works, given the extremely different techniques used in their execution.

Images via Visual News

by AJ Artemel

posted in Uncategorized

tagged chen chun-hao, Chinese art, howard chen, nailgun, taiwan, traditional chinese painting

more articles by AJ Artemel