When Shan Re experiences an irresistible urge to paint, her brain works fast. “I follow my instinct and the creative energy flows through me without conscious effort,” says the artist, whose new paintings are her melodies.
Shan calls these melodies The Eternal Spring, a belief that life is an opportunity to create meaning. “To me life is an empty canvas and I have an irresistible desire to make it colourful. I always stay in touch with my inner rhythm. When I remain open, energies from unseen sources flow naturally and point me in the right direction, leading me into the process,” she says, adding, “Everything stems from fragmented thoughts and subconscious forces. I’m like a sponge absorbing the right energy all the time and I always try to bring that raw energy into my art. As a person every thought and action of mine is well balanced and controlled, but as an artist my impulse dominates me; nothing is in my control. My work is a reminder of how positive energy brings joy and hope to the challenges of our human experience.”
This positive energy, The Eternal Spring is meant to convey a sense of rebirth, renewal, opportunity, hope and transformation. “An eternal optimist like me is a human personification of spring,” says Shan, adding, “Life is a flow of events where storms are inevitable. Every storm touches you somewhere, making you stronger. I’m always open to the gifts, possibilities and messages of nature and make the effort to gain insight and rejuvenate myself with fresh energy. I enjoy and treasure my inner harmony remaining unaffected in the face of both success and failure; love and hatred; pain and pleasure. This is the essence of what I continuously strive to portray in my work.”
Shan acknowledges that her works as emotive eruptions of herself. From within herself, she finds her muse. “My inner fire is my driving force. My confidence is my strength. The empty canvas is my valued friend, muse and trusted companion where all my subconscious thoughts, feelings, fantasies, memories and hopes escape into pure colour, providing me with on-going guidance that keeps me in the flow,” she says.
Like an unrestrained child with big dreams, Shan’s heart has an unfailing appetite, which says: ‘what next?’ Melodies of the Eternal Spring beckon.
The Eternal Spring will be on view at the Ritz Carlton till September 10.
