Peter Hong-Tsun Chan (b. 1985, Hong Kong)Focusing on themes of superstition, gender, and social identity, Chinese-Canadian artist Peter Chan paints dream-like, surrealistic scenes that distort and displace contemporary visual imagery within new contexts. His works offer a closer inspection of social practices that have emerged from traditional Hong Kong and Chinese culture.
Chan is heavily inspired by Surrealism, citing the works of René Magritte as a source of inspiration, and combines it with his learnings of art and painting from Italian sculptor and architect Gian Lorenzo Bernini. Using visual motifs in different historical and contemporary settings, he creates a new form of autobiographical narrative to explore the construction of individual identities. Culturally significant objects such asmahjong pieces and jades would appear alongside digital screens, basketballs and money guns in a juxtaposed commentary of traditional ideals and modern media. With compositions reminiscent of Hong Kong’s iconic film industry, his works allow his viewers to navigate the relationship between cultural influences and our perception of urban living.
Chan is based in Toronto, Canada. Having received his BAA from Sheridan College in 2008, he is currently an instructor at OCAD University, Sheridan College, and Seneca College.