Tang Chang facts for kids

Tang Chang (Thai: จ่าง แซ่ตั้ง;Chinese: 陈壮 ;RTGS: Chang Sae-tang; born May 1, 1934 – died August 26, 1990) was a talented artist, poet, writer, and thinker from Thailand with Chinese roots. He taught himself everything he knew about art and writing.

Tang Chang's Life Story

Tang Chang was born on May 1, 1934, in Bangkok, Thailand. His family was Chinese and not wealthy. He went to school at Pitchaya Yatikaram Temple School. But because of World War II, his family faced money problems. This meant he had to stop his education early.

Becoming an Artist

After leaving school, Chang became very interested in art. He used simple things like charcoal and chalk to draw on streets and walls. When he earned some money from small jobs, he bought paper, paint, and pencils. He started drawing pictures of his family and neighbors. Later, he opened a small stall at a local market. Here, he drew portraits for people to earn money.

Chang then began painting beautiful watercolor landscapes. In 1960, one of his landscape paintings was shown in an art exhibition. This was a big step for him!

New Art Styles

In the late 1950s, Chang started creating his famous "gestural abstraction" paintings. These paintings looked like quick, energetic brushstrokes. He said these artworks showed ideas from Buddhist and Daoist beliefs. He wanted to create art that was different from the popular styles of the time. His new paintings were first shown in 1966. However, many people in Thailand didn't like them at first.

A Poet and Writer

In 1968, when he was 34, Chang published a book of his "concrete poems." These poems were about social issues and his thoughts on nature and family. Unlike his paintings, his poems became popular. They were especially liked by young people who were part of new cultural movements in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

An Independent Artist

Tang Chang chose to stay outside the main art world. He didn't often show his art in big galleries or university exhibitions. Instead, he preferred to hold shows at his own home. He also didn't usually sell his artworks. He found other ways to earn money.

Tang Chang passed away in August 1990 when he was 56 years old. He left behind his wife and seven children.

Since 2013, Tang Chang's art has become famous around the world. His works have been shown in many countries. These include China, Singapore, the USA, and Germany. In 2023, he even had his own special exhibition in Paris, France, at a famous art center called Centre Pompidou.

Art Shows and Poetry Events

Tang Chang's art and poetry were shown in many places over the years. Here are some of the important ones:

Early Exhibitions (1960s)

• 1960: "The Thai-Chinese Art Exhibition of Thailand" in Bangkok.
• 1966: "Contemporary Artists Invitational Show" at Pathumwan Art Gallery, Bangkok. This was one of the first big shows for modern artists.
• 1967: "Thai Contemporary Art Exhibition" in Singapore and Malaysia.
• 1968: He held art shows with his students and children. One show helped raise money for an orphanage in Chiang Mai.

Shows at Home and Beyond (1969-1974)

• 1969: He started holding art shows at his own home in Bangkok. This was a unique way to share his art.
• 1970: He had an exhibition of his paintings and poems at his home. He also had a special show at the US Embassy in Bangkok, featuring his drawings, paintings, and writings.
• 1971: He was invited to a big meeting of Asian experts in Australia because of his writing.
• 1973: He held an outdoor art show with his students and children. It was held in a public park near the Grand Palace in Bangkok.
• 1974: He had shows at Suan Kularb College and Thammasat University. He also had a show sponsored by the Goethe Institute.

Later Years and Legacy (1980s-Present)

• 1980: He shared his writings and recited his poems at Thammasat University and Silpakorn University.
• 1985: He gave a poetry recital. The "Poet Tang Chang Institute of Modern Art" was also started. He had a big show of his past works there.
• 1991: An exhibition called "The Power of Truth" featured his work alongside his friend Pratuang Emcharoen.
• 1995-1996: His art was part of the "Asian Modernism" exhibition. This show traveled to Japan, the Philippines, Thailand, and Indonesia.
• 2000: A special show called "TANG CHANG THE ORIGINAL, THE ORIGINAL TANG CHANG!" featured 400 of his self-portraits.
• 2002: A large exhibition showed his paintings, writings, and wise sayings. It traveled to several universities in Thailand.
• 2013: Two special shows in Bangkok featured his drawings, paintings, and concrete poetry.
• 2014: He was invited to show his art at the "Shanghai Biennale X" in China, a very important international art festival.
• 2016: His work was part of "Reframing Modernism" at the National Gallery Singapore.
• 2018: A major exhibition, "Tang Chang: The Painting That is Painted with Poetry is Profoundly Beautiful," was held in Chicago, USA.
• 2023: He had a solo exhibition called "Tang Chang: Non-Forms" at the Centre Pompidou in Paris, France.

Helping the Community

Tang Chang also used his art to help others:

• 1960-1962: He drew portraits in public to raise money for the Red Cross Society of Thailand.
• 1961: He created a new painting technique called "White on White" for abstract art.
• 1962: He developed "Fingers Painting." He used this to create 12 large oil paintings about "The Bhodhisatava," which are now in a hospital foundation. He also created the "Black on Black" technique for abstract art.
• 1971: He was invited to speak at a course for Buddhist Monks and students. He also allowed his writings to be published in Australia. His concrete poetry and paintings were featured in "Look East" magazine, helping his work become known globally.

Books He Wrote

Tang Chang wrote many books, sharing his thoughts and art. Here are some examples:

• He wrote about art and poetry, like "Thinking on Arts, Thinking on Poetry" (2020).
• He published books about his abstract paintings and concrete poetry (2013).
• He also wrote about his personal thoughts and feelings, such as "My Poetry: Chang Sae Tang: Emotions, Thoughts, Origins of Poems" (2010).
• He even translated ancient texts, like "Textbook of War by Sun Zi" (2010) and "Daodejing by Laozi" (1973).
• He wrote books with titles like "The Morning" (1985) and "Mother and Child" (1972).
• One of his early books was "Black Cover" (1968).

International Art Shows

Here are some of the international exhibitions where Tang Chang's art was shown:

• Shanghai Biennale, China (2014)
• The World is Our Home, Hong Kong (2015)
• Reframing Modernism, Singapore (2016)
• Misfits: Pages from loose-leaf modernity, Germany (2017)
• Tang Chang: The Painting That is Painted With Poetry is Beautiful, Chicago, USA (2018)
• Awakenings: Art in Society in Asia 1960s–1990s, Tokyo (2018)
• Awakenings: Art in Society in Asia, 1960s–1990s, Singapore; Seoul (2019)
• Tang Chang: Non-Forms, Centre Pompidou, Paris, France (2023)

Where His Art Can Be Seen

Tang Chang's artworks are kept in important public art collections around the world:

• The Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, USA
• Centre Pompidou, Paris, France (Musée national d’art moderne - Centre de création industrielle)
• National Gallery Singapore, Singapore