Artist Gordon Cheung discussing his work during the Artist’s Luncheon at Blackberry Farm.
The featured artist of this year’s L’Amour du Vin fundraiser for the Knoxville Museum of Art was Gordon Cheung. Guests got the opportunity to meet him and view a PowerPoint retrospective of his work earlier this month at the Artist’s Luncheon at Blackberry Farm.
Cheung’s abstract images result, he said, from his tendency to focus on “in-between states.” The 47-year-old was born, raised and currently lives in London, but his parents hailed from Hong Kong and moved to London seeking better job opportunities. They have since retired and returned to Hong Kong, a place that he has always thought of as “home.” He thinks this dichotomy between London and Hong Kong has contributed to his attraction to “in-between states.”
Here’s the Gordon Cheung piece that brought the big price to the Knoxville Museum of Art.
He also, from the beginning of his career, has attempted to make “paintings without paint.” Early on, he shredded maps of the world and created art with the shreds. After that, many of his paintings have comprised shredded pages of the Financial Times. He seems to have a love-hate relationship with capitalism. Also, recently, sand has been a consistent element of this work, which is often lush and three-dimensional.
In any case, the piece he donated to the auction during the fundraiser went for the highest price that any work has brought in the 19-year history of L’Amour du Vin.
Cheung is one of the 15 artists whose work is now on display — through April 24 — in the KMA’s current exhibition, “Global Asias.”
Guests were greeted with refreshing vermouth spritzers when they entered The Barn at Blackberry Farm.
Here’s the key ingredient, the bartender said. Delish — and different.
From left, Kelly Luce, Andrea Bailey and Adrian Jay during the gathering time in the bar.
From left, Mary Morris, Elizabeth Swindeman, John Winemiller and R.J. Hinde.
From left, Dawn Ford, Barbara Apking, Mimi Turner and Jackie Wilson.
Larry and Kay Leibowitz.
Len and Geoff de Rohan, left, with Stuart Worden and Lane Hays.
From left, Elizabeth Clark, Caitlin Zeanah and Chandra Becker.
Susan Hawthorne, left, and Robin Turner.
Larry Leibowitz, left, and Bob Martin.
Shortly, the presentation began.
This piece by Gordon Cheung is one of those featuring shredded pages from the Financial Times.
More recently, he has become fascinated with a process involving “glitches” created by running the art through a computer program. Fascinating.
Notice the texture that adding sand to the paint brings?
I thought this was interesting: the 10 richest billionaires in tech.
Every year at the Artist’s Luncheon, it is so interesting to hear from the artist commenting on his or her art. The presentation is about 30 minutes long. And then, another masterpiece: lunch!
Everyone at my table agreed that this was the best salad course we’ve ever had. Asparagus and Beemster cheese with country ham, crispy shallots, roasted garlic aioli and herbs. It was paired with a 2018 Morlet Family Vineyards “Ma Douce” chardonnay from Fort Ross-Seaview.
Vintner Luc Morlet discussed the wines.
I love the charming, super simple centerpieces.
Blackberry Farm proprietor Mary Celeste Beall welcomed guests and introduced Chef Cassidee Dabney.
Chef Dabney.
Entree was wood-grilled chicken with roasted mushrooms, charred cabbage, crispy rice and dill. Wine was a 2018 Morlet Family Vineyards “En Famille” pinot noir from Fort Ross-Seaview.
My fun tablemates: Dawn Ford, R.J. Hinde, center, and John Winemiller.
From left, Lane Hays, Stuart Worden and Mimi Turner.
Jackie Wilson, left, with Johnnie Creel.
Cathy Hill, left, with Teresa Harrison.
From left, Frances King, Natalie Copenhaver and Mollie Turner.
Dessert was a fabulous apples and cream dish with sheep’s milk caramel, apple butter toffee and garden granita.
Standing, Knoxville Museum of Art Executive Director David Butler and Curator Stephen Wicks with artist Gordon Cheung and his partner, Inez Suen.
Great job, everybody.
Thank you Cynthia!
Thanks for great photos af both art and food. What a fun occasion and a great way to make money for the museum!
Carla: Thanks for all your help!
Rusha: Totally agree. Very creative fundraiser!
Love Gordon’s paintings. Lucky to have 17 in our home. Love from Lancashire England x
Wow, Dr. Mark Turner: Lucky you, indeed!
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