Open “Eyes,” Open Mind

Pi Li

 

　To be honest, I promised Zhu Hai long time ago to write an article for his painting collection. Now that there are only 1 days away from his solo exhibition opening in Taiwan, I'm still struggling with the article. In fact, as an art critic myself,it was much of a challenge for me to appreciate works with symbol, expression, as well as reality. Viewers are easily to fi nd the relationship with artists and reality, and then further develop judgment upon art. However, Zhu Hai's artworks are not something like this. To me, they are self-content and so visualized that they cannot be fully described through words.Completing this article thus became a hard work after all.

　　It was on the conference of 2006 Luo Zhongli Fellowship that I first saw Zhu Hai's paintings. At that time, the so-called“post- 0”and“post- 0”are already famous in art field, albeit I have little concern when artists are categorized by their age. On the other hand, paintings of youth cruelty is nothing but a business feature brought by gallery operator. Unfortunately, there are many talented graduates and young artists, including Sichuan Fine Arts Institute, be bound by these market methods. Zhu Hai's creation is thus presented to us under such period.

　　Zhu Hai's painting attraction lies on the crucial style and quality that transcends“time”and“age.”No matter judging from life experience or education background, Zhu Hai is supposed to be post- 0 or post- 0; however, Zhu Hai does not put those cartoon symbols or colors of vigor art into his painting. Instead, he presents much deeper cultural quality which is observable in grandeur structures as well as every little life experience. Different from cartoon artists that we often see, Zhu Hai's works are not painted or copied with those downside images and devaluation, they convey very strong penetration that pass through every life. They are neither refl ections of reality, nor feebleness of fashion culture; rather, they are a kind of allegory upon this era. Eyes on Zhu Hai's paintings watch us, watch the time, watch history and society. In a sense, they seem to see through everything of our time and life. In my opinion, I think his works possess very delicate makings of poets which then become a kind of meditation. Moreover, when facing to the time and history, Zhu Hai's“eyes”reveal more of gaze and skepticism. No matter what, its core value lies on fi nding a distance between reality in which art and artists can ultimately attain their ownvalue.

　　But Zhu Hai's creation explains more than that. The spirit of feebleness and quality of poet are subtly surrounded by our sight for Zhu Hai builds up a special texture within the picture. Although eyes are a kind of conceptual symbols, they are not just simple existence of concept and image. To be more specifi c, not only concept and image are bound together, but also reality and fantasy, what we see and what we receive are all amazingly infuse into the whole painting, creating a sense of dazzle of the moment. When facing these works, we, as a viewer, are viewed by the painting in the same time. Perhaps it is equally amazing of talking about the real space that viewers are being and the created space that Zhu Hai brings about. It is under such a magical relationship of watching and being watched that the meaningful space of the work can be boundlessly extend. To a certain level, these artworks open up our sight, enable us to exist in dreamlike trance, and then reflect back to ourselves. Finally, the progress calls an end and is presented through the picture.

　　To write a complete and interpreting review upon Zhu Hai's painting is never an easy task. The key reason is that his works deliver special structure and picture which is rarely seen in contemporary art. In other words, the wholeness of painting helps itself to reach a kind of“self-comfort”and “self-realization.”In his works, we are deeply touched by pure power of the picture, and this happens to be Zhu Hai's strong suggestion for us to walk out from piles of conceptual art. It is through these kinds of unique contemporary sight fable, that the artist, using his special mental eyes, opens up our eyes and mind.

作者：皮力