SHUICAI NIU

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Expressions 8

100*120cm, 2023

The oil painting presented is an abstract composition, distinguished by a dynamic array of brushstrokes and a rich palette dominated by various shades of green. The interplay between motion and stillness is accentuated by the contrast between the thick impasto and the thinner, more fluid applications of paint.

There's an inherent sense of kinetic energy as if capturing the essence of a waterfall cascading down with great force and splendor, suggested by the vertical yellow streaks that could be seen as a metaphor for water in motion. The use of color in this work is particularly noteworthy; the artist employs varying degrees of luminosity to create depth and movement.

The bright yellows and greens seem to advance toward the viewer, simulating the foaming crests of water, while the darker blues and greens recede, providing a sense of underlying depth, much like the shadowed recesses of a waterfall. In abstract art, such as this piece, the gestural brushstrokes often serve as a physical manifestation of the artist's emotions and energy during the creation process.

This style could be reminiscent of Abstract Expressionism, where the process of painting is as important as the finished work itself. The energy of the painting, combined with the contrast in paint application, creates a visual rhythm that can be felt as well as seen. The organic, flowing forms juxtaposed with the deliberate, bold strokes contribute to a sense of nature's power and the sublime. This is not a literal representation of a waterfall but an emotional and perceptual one, where the viewer is invited to experience the sensation of grandeur and raw natural force through abstract visual language.