There is nothing that divides people more than art. Some people struggle with concepts that are not literally translated for them whereas others revel in the unknown. I heard an analogy years ago that perfectly explained this. It was a conversation between two people at an art gallery, looking at a piece of art depicting a rip in a canvas. One person argues that anyone could do that (the logical thinker), whereas the other mused back ‘but no one has bothered before’ (the creative mind).
I was reminded of these feelings (as I have always felt somewhere in the middle of these two opposites) when I was taken round the Chelsea College of Art & Design MA show. Now, I have to say, the work on display was mighty impressive, as you would expect, but I kept getting drawn to the work I felt I couldn’t wholly understand, and which left an after taste of mystery. For example, the printed fabrics created by Jessica Chan stood out the most for me:
Perhaps it was because her thought processes that led to her designs could only be explained by the gorgeous patterns she had created, or the eye-catching colours she used. Or perhaps that her accompanying sketchbook did not need words to provide the viewer with any literal translation. Either way, I have no desire to probe, as I found her work stunningly thought-provoking and enticing. After all, why explain the mystery away in a few seconds, when you can leave people guessing forever.
Perhaps this means I am less logical after all.
To contact Jessica Chan directly, please email jkmchan@hotmail.com, or alternatively visit her blog www.forallmywork.blogspot.com.
