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At first glance the white porcelain statue by Shen Jingdong reminds us of Mao Zedong, but upon closer inspection it becomes apparent that the statue is that of a lowly PLA soldier. Shen’s statues resonate especially with the pre-1960’s generation. Emperor and soldier, god and man, revolution and peace, all these things are united in one piece of art Shen Jingdong studied the art of porcelain; first he made sculpture and then later started oil painting. He has found his own iconic symbol, symbols are so important in art; the bald head or big mouth, the old poster or old photograph, these items have all become recognizable symbols, representing the style of the artist, conveying their point of view and the way they see the world. Chinese contemporary art mostly has its roots in the hard times of the Cultural Revolution; many of the works feel heavy and laden with sadness. Shen Jingdong’s oil painting series have no heaviness about them, the composition technique is powerful, you can feel the quality, and sense the smoothness of his strokes, his colours are lively and fresh. The figures themselves are doll-like even cartoonist and easy to like. Viewing Shen Jingdong’s paintings make us think about our history and make us compare it with our current life experiences, making us feel happy and bright. |
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