Social Realism

Warren Chang breaks down his recent paintings capturing elements of life in California during the past two years

- By Warren Chang

I would like to share with you my recent paintings completed I titled Social Realism in California. The show was delayed due to the pandemic and rescheduled during what seemed like more promising times. Eventually the show was held from May 22 to August 29, 2021. These paintings, along with falling into the theme and subject of the show, I think reflect the times we all live in. The last painting, titled Invisible People, is a painting that has been in the making for many years.

Leading up to this major work, I completed several scenes of farmworkers in preparation for my exhibition at the Triton Museum of Art. This is a subject I have been painting for 20 years, inspired by many of the great painters of the past, such as Francois Millet (1814-1875) and Bastien Lepage (1848-1884). My painting Essential Workers is a scene I witnessed and then recreated for a painting. Other smaller works such as Rivers Edge at Dusk and Drawn into the Light are both scenes from Monterey County inspired by the novels of John Steinbeck, who resided and wrote about stories of the area. Also pictured is my painting Flower Stand, an everyday scene just off the freeways of Los Angeles. All of these paintings fall within the theme and subject of the exhibition. Throughout the following pages, I've commented on each piece in relation to the painting lessons that can be learned from each one.

Essential Workers