SHUICAI NIU

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Lotus 4

30*30cm, 2023

The oil painting captures the liminal state of lotus flowers, teetering between being and non-being, employing the artistic principles of perspective and intensity to convey a sense of spatial rhythm.

The composition utilizes a technique where objects closer to the viewer are depicted with larger, more vigorous brushstrokes and bolder colors, creating a visual force that pulls the eye toward the foreground. In contrast, elements that are intended to be perceived as further away are rendered with smaller, subtler strokes and a more restrained palette, lending a sense of depth and tranquility to the background. The interplay of vivid colors and expressive textures suggests the luscious environment of a lotus pond. The thick application of paint in the foreground captures the robustness and vibrancy of the closer lotus flowers, while the smoother transitions and cooler tones in the background evoke the serenity of distant blossoms and water surfaces. This abstract rendition of lotus flowers does not aim to provide a literal representation but rather to capture the essence and atmosphere of the scene.

This canvas invites viewers to engage with the space and depth of the natural setting and to ponder the existence of the lotus as it transitions from bud to bloom. The painting becomes a visual metaphor for the philosophical concept of "is or is not," embodying the beauty and complexity of nature and existence.