Huang Hung-Ji, the last pupil of the late Taiwanese maestro Lin Chih-Chu—often regarded as Taiwan’s pioneer of glue-color painting—marries meticulous craftsmanship with sublime artistic expression, evoking the splendor of precious gemstones and transporting viewers into an ethereal realm. The art form, also known as distemper painting, involves a revered technique that uses powdered mineral pigments bound by transparent animal or vegetable glues. Huang’s ability to illuminate his works with an enchanting radiance has not only distinguished his work but also led to invitations to showcase his masterpieces in prestigious art institutions across Japan and Taiwan. The creation of glue-color paintings is a testament to the artist's skill and patience. The final rich colors are born from the painstaking application of numerous translucent layers. Contrary to the concealing nature of opaque oil paints, the transparency of glue-color paints necessitates a mastery of layering, wherein each subsequent layer subtly alters the tones and sheen beneath it. Huang, who prefers fine powdered mineral pigments derived from precious colored stones, brings forth a luxurious gloss in his works, akin to a tapestry of tiny, luminous jewels. Additionally, the transparent nature of the paint means that any error, at any layer, is irreversible, compelling the artist to start anew. Precision also governs the preparation of the glue. Huang patiently takes on the arduous process of manually boiling coagulated glue imported from Japan, stringently maintaining it at 60°C, before meticulously filtering and modifying it to achieve the optimal viscosity. Given that the granule thickness can substantially influence the shade and texture of the color, this phase is particularly critical and requires utmost accuracy. In Huang's creations, everyday subjects—flowers, fish, birds, and other animals—transcend their conventional existence, becoming luminous vessels that inspire viewers, taking them to an otherworldly place. His art encourages the audience to seek the profound beauty embedded within the ordinary, elevating the mundane to the extraordinary. Considering the demanding and time-intensive nature of the glue-color painting process, production cannot be hurried. Huang says, "I can only complete two to four paintings a year. My teacher painted for an entire lifetime and left behind only about 200 works." His contributions to the art form stand as a magnificent homage to nature and the rigorous, yet rewarding, artistic practice of glue-color painting.
SOLO EXHIBITIONS 2015 Solo exhibition at Taichung City Natural Way Six Arts Cutural Center Hall. 2016 Solo exhibition of Mineral Pigment Paintings at the Fukuoka Asian Art Museum in Japan. 2023 Solo exhibition of Mineral Pigment Paintings at the Nantou Hsing Kung Art Gallery. JOINT EXHIBITIONS 2013 Participated in the Citizen Art Shanghai . 2016 Took part in the International Artists Exhibition in Kawasaki, Japan. 2017 Participated in the International Artists Exhibition at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum.
