Lotus 2

100*100cm, 2023

This oil painting belongs to a series focused on lotus flowers, leaves, and ponds, with the artist emphasizing a subjective expression and a calligraphic style of brushwork that adds a personal language to the plein air tradition.

The composition is energetic and full of movement, attributable to the thick, expressive strokes that weave throughout the canvas. The vibrant greens of the lotus leaves are interlaced with bold splashes of pink and red from the lotus flowers, creating a visual symphony of color. The juxtaposition of these vivid colors against the more subdued background hues contributes to a sense of depth and dimensionality. There is a deliberate abstraction in the depiction of the natural forms, inviting viewers to engage with the painting on a more instinctive and emotional level.

Niu's technique disrupts the literal interpretation of the scene, instead opting to capture the essence and atmosphere of the pond environment. The heavy impasto technique used by the artist not only adds texture but also accentuates the organic shapes of the lotus and the fluidity of water, giving the impression of a living ecosystem pulsating with life.

Each brushstroke, while contributing to the overall image, stands out as an individual statement, signifying the artist's active dialogue with their subject. This series embodies a contemporary approach to plein-air painting, where the experience of nature is filtered through personal sensibilities and artistic vision.

This canvas invites an immersive experience, where the boundary between the tangible world and the emotive portrayal by the artist becomes blurred, offering a fresh and invigorating perspective on the traditional subject of lotuses in a pond.