Leoss Plateau 3
300*150cm, 2018
This painting depicts a vast and visually complex landscape, emphasizing geometric forms and stark contrasts in color. Niu draws inspiration from natural forms, and then abstracts them into a series of angular, almost crystalline shapes, evoking a sense of fragmentation in rocks and ice.
The foreground's white and blue tones suggest a snow-covered ground, with sharp shadows and highlights creating a sensation of crisp cold and reflectiveness, possibly indicating the presence of ice and snow. The middle ground introduces a warmer spectrum, with fiery oranges and reds possibly representing the glow of the sun rising or setting between mountains or cliffs. The transition from cool to warm colors may convey the interplay between sunlight and the icy landscape, a dance of temperature and light. The sky is rendered in turbulent grays and blues, with sweeping brushstrokes suggesting a dynamic atmosphere, possibly the rapid movement of an unstable weather front. This sense of movement in the sky contrasts with the solidity of the structures below. Compositionally, the artist arranges these forms in a way that guides the viewer's gaze through the scene, from bottom to top, then back again through intersecting lines and stark contrasts in color. This dynamic composition ensures that the viewer's eye is continually drawn and moved, much like the natural environment that inspired the painting. The style of the painting is reminiscent of Expressionism, with its bold colors and dramatic brushstrokes, but also contains elements of structural analysis seen in Cubism in the geometric division of space. It is an artwork that straddles the line between abstraction and representation, inviting the viewer to interpret the scene as an interplay of pure color and form, while also depicting a vibrant, living landscape. The date in the lower right corner tells us this is a contemporary work from 2016, indicating that the artist's engagement with the subject is current, possibly also influenced by contemporary environmental and climate concerns, which may be reflected in the work's stark contrasts and dramatic energy.
The painting conveys a dramatic tension and vibrant energy that may evoke different emotions in viewers. The stark contrast between warm and cool tones, along with the interplay of light and shadow, creates an atmosphere of powerful natural forces at work. The vivid oranges and reds in the middle ground express an intense heat, which might evoke warmth, passion, or even awe at nature's majesty. This warmth seems to emanate from within the earth, possibly symbolizing a beating heart or a source of inner strength. Conversely, the cool tones of white and blue in the foreground might convey a sense of tranquility or harsh coldness. As if the warmth of the background and the coolness of the foreground form a contrast, reflecting the complexity of human emotions—calmness following intense moments. The turbulent sky, painted with broad strokes of gray and blue, might reflect a state of chaos or change, suggesting unrest or a sense of unpredictability. The vastness of the sky and its apparent dynamism could also inspire a feeling of being overwhelmed or humbled by the grand scale of nature. The sharp angular lines and fractured, crystalline forms add to the emotional intensity of the work, possibly indicating a stasis of fragmentation or interruption.
It's as if the earth itself is moving, echoing the restlessness and ever-changing state of the natural world, which might resonate with the viewer's own experiences of change and transformation. In summary, the painting seems to explore the dichotomy between the fiery depths of the earth and the icy surface that confronts it, eliciting a profound emotional response that includes awe, contemplation, and an instinctual reaction to the beauty and complexity of nature.
