蕭耀的藝術發展進程,跟當代藝術的發展同步,多樣而富於想像。可以肯定的是,畫家對中外藝術涉獵夠多夠久夠深,因此畫風能與當下的現代藝術契合,而且息息相關。藝術是一種全然的創造,關乎生活,來自生活;文字形象、臉書和男女之事,都是現實生活中無所不在的生活元素,它們是「流行的、轉瞬即逝的、可隨意消耗的、廉價的、大量生產的、年輕的、諧趣的、性感的、惡搞的、魅惑的及語不驚人死不休的」 (摘自1957年藝術家理查•漢彌敦為「普普藝術」所下的定義“Pop Art is: popular, transient, expendable, low-cost, mass-produced, young, witty, sexy, gimmicky, glamorous, and Big business.”)。
蕭耀的「普普化抽象表現主義」意象三部曲是時代的產物與象徵,在當下的時空環境裡,具有與生活結合的高辨識度,提點人們要用不同面向體認藝術的本質,進而反映人生、融入生活,以感官的「色、受、想、行、識」觀照外在的物質世界與內心幽微的活動。透過圖騰形式的意象,蕭耀書寫出人的生活主張,在各種情緒裡掙扎、進出、游離,闡釋「五蘊皆空」背後的人文因子與生命的共同經驗。
The art development of York Hsiao is in-sync with the contemporary art, multi-facet and imaginative. One thing can be certain that the artist has spent a lot of time and efforts with local and international art business to maintain this close relationship to the contemporary art community. Art relates to life and comes from life. The image of words, Facebook, and sexual activities are essential elements in life. They are “popular, transient, expendable, low-cost, mass-produced, young, witty, sexy, gimmicky, glamorous, and Big business.” York Hsiao’s “Pop Style Abstract Expressionism” image trilogy is a product and symbol of current time. It reminds people to realize the essence of art in a different angle, and to reflect on one’s own life to sense the materialistic world and the activities in mind. Through the images of totemic forms, York Hsiao spells out his idea of human life, behind all the struggles, back and forth, to best demonstrate the Zen belief that the common life experience of human senses are all empty.
藝術是神靈的工作。將物象化為意象,將心思成為創作,是一股生氣蓬勃的事業。蕭耀如此說。
In York Hsiao’s own words, “Art is the work of Spirits. It converts matters into images and thoughts into creation. It is a career that is full of life.”