Grapes 2

300*150cm, 2018

This oil painting is a rich tapestry of symbolism, merging elements from different cultural traditions.

Grapes and apples are prominently featured, each carrying its own symbolic weight. Apples, often associated with the Garden of Eden in Western traditions, symbolize knowledge, fall from grace, or temptation. Grapes, in Chinese tradition, are symbols of abundance and fertility, often representing the wish for many children and blessings.

Niu has intertwined these symbols within a vibrant and chaotic composition, suggesting a universal striving and struggle for these shared desires, regardless of culture, region, or ethnicity. This struggle is vividly depicted through the painting's energetic and somewhat tumultuous geometry, which seems to echo the complex and often difficult journey toward these aspirations. The geometric forms in the painting not only structure the composition but also emphasize the interplay of the symbolic elements. The contrast of colors and shapes creates a visual tension, mirroring the broader cultural tensions and the common human endeavors that both unite and divide.

Overall, the painting captures a dynamic scene where different cultural symbols coexist and interact, highlighting a collective human experience that transcends individual backgrounds. It's a powerful visual metaphor for the universal human condition of aspiration, effort, and the complex dance between harmony and discord.