Title of the Exhibition:

Neo Expressionism:

Higher Order Stops Pain

Date of Creation:
2016-2023
Genre:
Figurative, Animalism, Landscape
Period-Movement:
Postmodern Art, Contemporary Art, Neo-Expressionism, Abstract Expressionism
Technique:
Painting
Materials:
Original digital artworks, Original paintings on canvas
Dimensions:
Variable


Exhibition Description:
Higher Order Stops Pain is a series of artworks dedicated to the painterly depiction of both the serene beauty of flowers and landscapes and, in contrast, the struggle inherent in military, interpersonal, and biological conflicts. Situating the series within the broader trajectory of twentieth-century and contemporary art, these works engage with traditions of representing conflict and the human condition, as seen in the emotionally charged approaches of neo-expressionism. The paintings examine the threatening physical and moral competition between adversaries, drawing on a lineage in which artists such as Francis Bacon and Jean-Michel Basquiat confronted psychological and corporeal distress through intense, expressive mark-making and dramatic compositions. Philosophers have argued that pain serves as a corrective force to power, shaping evolutionary processes. Significant change often arises from the necessity to escape unbearable pain. The paintings in this series explore various forms of pain and relationships, highlighting their roles in problem-solving and evolutionary development. The canvas titled "The Hysteria" portrays a woman in acute pain, serving as an homage to Eisenstein and Francis Bacon, aligning with historical art practices that center on raw emotion and existential struggle. This nearly monochromatic composition, dominated by black and silver, is both striking and evocative. Other notable works include monumental painting: To Those in War and Peace, which addresses the horrors and tragedy of war, and The Challenge, which depicts a skeletal figure confronting personal turmoil. The influence of Francis Bacon and Jean-Michel Basquiat, prominent neo-expressionist painters, is evident, reinforcing the series’ placement within art-historical debates about the depiction of suffering and transformation. Nicholaas Chiao's contribution to neo-expressionism is characterized by geometrically balanced compositions and a sophisticated application of color theory.