For this exhibition, the accumulation of art that comes from all over Asia, has a generous spread of their own knowledge of their country and immediate surroundings. One can start by thinking of where the references are from, and from there, the processes of the works that have been exercised and if those practices take into account their background. So there are two levels to this: The cultural language, and the physical objects / processes.

Languages aside, the search for new local artists across Asia has not been an easy one. Looking for new, almost unheard of artists in our region has been difficult. Going through thousands of websites does not help the search, as often, the website does not truly reflect the works, or the artists. I am grateful for the help my many international artists / curator friends who have actually seen or met the artists themselves, and would be able to help me in the credible collection of Asian artists from which to choose from.

I have to be honest and say that I have been biased. I have chosen artists that have stuck to their work, their ethics, their roots, and most of all, their conviction to be an artist. These are artists who’ve spent a lot of their lives understanding and studying the discipline that they work in, supported their passion through other hard works, and strongly stand by their works when questioned about it’s depth and portrayal. No one hit wonders here; I see the potential of each and every of these artists and their future. And I only wished that I have much more space and time to include all that I’ve learned to appreciate and love.

As I’ve always said, great artists come from an understanding of themselves and of life. And, with deep understanding of the artists, comes great art. Life experiences that are fully understood can be used as mediums within a piece of work and the physical representation of an abstract experience is often difficult, exciting and liberating at the same time. Audiences are often drawn into these types of works because they have found a connection with the artists. Both Chandan and Light Editions galleries strive to develop and preserve this “Asian voice”, that is at once hard to grasp for a more Western audience, yet appealing to the Asian intellects that are also coming to grips with their more Western education. With its primary focus on Asian Artists, Light Editions gallery often invites artists who have a history in strong personal voices to create exhibitions to showcase their voices. I welcome you in our embrace to discover this varied language that is from our younger Asia.