Sangna Take: Don't BUG me

ESLITE GALLERY is thrilled to announce the upcoming solo exhibition Don't BUG me by Taiwanese artist Sangna Take in April. Marking his inaugural solo showcase at ESLITE GALLERY, this exhibition features an impressive collection of 103 pieces, encompassing paintings, ceramics, and new works that blend printmaking with painting techniques. Characters created by Sangna Take are recognized for their subtly ominous and world-weary demeanor. His adept integration of cherished fashion elements expresses the nuanced emotions of daily life. At times, he interjects light erotic humor, mirroring the cultural tendencies of today's younger generation.

  • Exhibition Period:6 April - 27 April 2024
  • Address:ESLITE GALLERY ∣ B1, No. 88, Yanchang Rd., Xinyi Dist., Taipei City 110055, Taiwan

Sangna Take, whose real name is Sun Ta-ke, was born in 1992 in Kaohsiung. He graduated from the Department of Visual Communication Design at China University of Technology in 2013. With a background in illustration and design, he has now transitioned to being a full-time creator. The pseudonym Sangna Take was inspired by a playful fusion of his full name, Sun Ta-Ke, as it appears in his passport. "Sun" transforms into "Sang," a play on sounds, while "Ta-Ke" evolves into "Take." Interestingly, "Sangna" echoes the word for sauna in Mandarin. Through this moniker, he aspires for his art to serve as a haven of calm and rejuvenation for individuals caught in the whirlwind of daily routines, much like the restorative comfort of a sauna.

Drawing influence from American artist Jean-Michel Basquiat (1960-1988) and Japanese artist Yoshitomo Nara, Sangna Take's artistic expression centers on everyday experiences. The title of his solo exhibition "Don't BUG me" along with other short English phrases such as "What's Up" and "Veg Out" recur throughout his pieces, candidly conveying inner sentiments and weaving narratives for each image.

The figures portrayed by Sangna Take exude a sense of world-weariness, influenced by his fascination with fashion shows like America's Next Top Model during his high school years. At that time, the modeling industry was known for embracing nonchalant and effortless chic, a sentiment that he found personally resonant. This influence is visible in the characters in his artwork, which has evolved into a unique style that includes anthropomorphic interpretations of animals and objects, marking his distinct artistic signature. For instance, in Another Sky, birds are depicted with fierce, intense expressions; in Wet, he captures the awkward predicament of men with wet crotches, where amoeba-like mysterious entities are personified with facial features. Furthermore, drawing from the nostalgia of his childhood, he has reimagined the original 151 Pokémon in his unique artistic vision, culminating in the painting List of Pokemon G1.

Man In a Daze, Take a Bath, and A Feeling represent new series that primarily explore the medium of clay. Captivated by the transformative nature and unpredictability of glaze firing, Sangna Take merges his artistic flair with the idea of "living ceramics". Man In a Daze sees figurines of young men in a relaxed sitting position, dressed in denim. Designed to hold incense cones within its form, smoke whimsically escapes from the top of the head, inspired by the concept of "a person so angry that smoke comes out of the seven orifices". Take a Bath consists of a collection of 13 ceramic pieces that capture the act of bathing, inspired by the artist's fondness for hot springs. A Feeling merges clay and paper art, with both elements acting as narratives that invite imaginative connections between them.

Sangna Take possesses a unique talent for capturing the essence of seemingly mundane emotions through expressions in the eyes, fashion elements, and short phrases, effectively communicating the inner thoughts and feelings of people today. His art also serves as a representation of the younger generation's candid form of self-expression.

"" 前往願望清單