來自台灣的藝術家陳佩怡，自大學時期便開始學習膠彩畫，並於2011年全力投入膠彩藝術創作。她的作品因為其技術的精湛和創新的視角，不僅在2011年獲得了國家文化藝術基金會的美術展覽補助，更被國立美術館和藝術銀行多次收藏，甚至遠及日本的平野美術館。近年來，陳佩怡以她與貓的日常生活為靈感來源，創作出一系列既細膩又真實的作品，這些作品打破了對貓的傳統可愛形象，並深入描繪了牠們的不同性格和情感。
Taiwanese artist Chen Pei-Yi began exploring the art of nihonga painting during her university years. By 2011, she had devoted herself entirely to the art of nihonga. Her works, celebrated for their exquisite technique and innovative perspectives, not only secured a grant from the National Culture and Arts Foundation in 2011 but have also been repeatedly collected by the National Museum of Fine Arts, the Art Bank, and even the Hirano Museum in Japan. In recent years, Chen Pei-Yi has drawn inspiration from her daily life with her cats to create a series of delicate and authentic works that challenge traditional cute depictions of cats and sincerely portray their personalities and emotions.
陳佩怡所使用的膠彩畫，又稱岩彩畫或日本畫，是一種以膠為素材媒介，將天然礦物的粉末與水調和後，畫在紙、絹、麻或木板上的一種作畫型式。然而，陳佩怡的膠彩技法與傳統日本畫風格迥異，其作品色彩鮮明、構圖強烈，充分展示出她對傳統和現代美學的完美融合。
The nihonga paintings Chen uses, known as Japanese paintings, involve a technique where natural mineral powders mixed with water are applied to paper, silk, linen, or wood panels using an animal glue binder. However, Chen Pei-Yi’s techniques diverge significantly from traditional Japanese painting styles. Her works are characterised by vivid colours and intense compositions, perfectly blending traditional and modern aesthetics.
陳佩怡在藝術創作中亦展現了強烈的個人風格，儘管胡粉通常是畫膠彩不可或缺的材料，她卻選擇不使用，她解釋說：「我會依畫面需要使用鉛白、鈦白、鋅白和其他白色礦物顔料，但就是不用胡粉。」 在藝術創作上，使用材料的巧妙性往往比遵循傳統更重要的，這一選擇反映了她在追求畫面效果時的獨到見解和創新精神。此外，她的作品中也融入了許多傳統水墨畫的元素和概念，如多層次的薄塗和混色技巧。她強調：「如果薄塗就能有效果，為什麼要刻意砸顔料。」
In her artistic creation, Chen Pei-Yi also exhibits a strong personal style. Although animal glue is typically an indispensable material in nihonga, she chooses not to use it. She explains, “I use lead white, titanium white, zinc white, and other white mineral pigments as needed by the painting, but not animal glue.” The ingenuity in material usage often outweighs the importance of adhering to tradition, reflecting her unique insights and innovative spirit in pursuing visual effects. Additionally, her work incorporates many elements and concepts of traditional ink painting, such as multi-layered thin coats and blending techniques. She emphasises, “If thin layers can be effective, why overly apply the pigments?”
在日常生活中，陳佩怡與她的貓共同生活，她會每天拍攝牠們的照片，並將這些照片連同短文一起上傳到社交網站。陳佩怡的藝術創作不僅是對技術的展示，更是對生活的深刻觀察和情感的真實表達。她的作品，無論是在畫室還是在社交媒體上的分享，都讓人感受到她與這世界，特別是她的貓咪們之間的深厚連結。
In her daily life, Chen Pei-Yi lives with her cats, taking daily photos of them and uploading them along with short essays to social media. Chen Pei-Yi’s artistic creations are not just a showcase of technique but also a profound observation of life and an authentic expression of emotions. Her works, whether shared in the studio or on social media, profoundly convey her deep connection with the world, particularly with her cats.
More about Chen Pei-Yi:
https://www.instagram.com/chen_pei_yi?igsh=MWxsYno3c21qNmNjYg==
Photo courtesy of the artist Chen Pei-Yi