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Poetry through painting in Ballan

An outdoor exhibition in Ballan will present “poetry through images,” with colourful artworks inspired by daily observations.

Presented at Moorabool’s outdoor gallery space MAPP Up in Lights in Ballan, ‘The Poetry of Life’ by artist Min Chiang will present works that depict interactions between people, animals, nature, and even with oneself.

Chiang said the exhibition was inspired by her daily observations.

“I wanted to turn ordinary moments into poetic visual stories … these scenes may look simple, but they hold deep emotional connections,” Chiang said.

“I use bold blocks of colour to create atmosphere, and layered lines to express emotions and the feeling of being intertwined – just like how we naturally show different emotions when we’re with different people.

“For me, it’s like writing poetry through images. Each of us is creating our own life poem through relationships with others and with nature.”

Chiang enjoys exploring a wide range of materials and techniques and has worked with oil, watercolour, acrylic, ink, cotton, linen, wood, stone, paper, ceramics, printmaking, and more.

“Each material brings its own energy, and I love discovering how different forms can shape the way an idea is expressed,” Chiang said.

“For me, the most important part of making art is keeping an open mind. The medium is simply a tool – what matters is using it to communicate something authentic.

“What I enjoy most about art is the freedom it gives me. Since English isn’t my first language, expressing complex ideas through words can sometimes be limiting. But with art, I can connect with people across languages and cultures.”

To Chiang art is a natural way to respond to life and express thoughts and emotions.

“When I started this series, I really wanted to explore the small but meaningful interactions we have with the world around us.”

Chiang’s works will be exhibited at MAPP Up in Lights Ballan at AA McLean Reserve, Fisken Street, Ballan, from July 31 until August 31.

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