Author:Chang Chao-tang(1943-2024)
Category：Photography
Media:Baryta photographique digital printing
Year：1988
Size description：72x110cm
Introduction：Portraying the renowned Taiwanese painter Li Shih-chiao (1908–1995), this work captures him seated alone on a sofa. He turns his head slightly, revealing a side profile marked by fine lines, dark spots, and sagging skin. This textured face contrasts with the smooth, reflective leather of the sofa's backrest. His half-closed, slightly unfocused eyes convey a sense of distance. Unlike his iconic long hair, Li's short, gray-streaked hair in this image enhances the impression of age and melancholy. Chang Chao-tang once remarked that he often brings the camera close to his subjects and allows their forms to dominate the foreground as if observing a sculpture, capturing the subtle details of their faces. This approach reveals his unique perspective on the essence of life. In this work, through a simple composition, he unflinchingly presents the viewer with the aging visage of a person in his twilight years, capturing the marks of time on his face.
Author Introduction：「Chang Chao-tang」-Born in Banqiao, New Taipei City, Taiwan, Chang studied civil engineering at National Taiwan University, where Western modern thought shaped his absurd and detached style. A pioneer in Taiwan’s modern photography, he co-founded V-10 Visual Art Group in 1971. Joining China Television in 1968, he produced documentaries like “60 Minutes” and “The Journey of Image.” From the late 1970s, he worked on films such as China Behind and The Woman of Wrath, integrating photography, documentary, and cinema into his creative path.
Accession number:20230075