In the winter of year 2003, I saw three oil paintings of Jingdong Wang in Beijing International Art Gallery, which two of them are for landscape figure, and one is for still object. The work of still object impressed me the most, even if the painting seems very dark, however I can strongly sense the feeling that the painting conveys. Filled up with strong taste of Chinese water ink, this work expresses the vase seemingly appeared, several long leaves stretching freely, and a light blue color strayed in the right corner of the vase, abstractly implying to me that it is the falling flower. The background of the whole painting as to the arrangement of the bright and the dark, leads me to associate with the grand stage of life, as well as the inevitable theatricality of human’s destiny. I gave a title of this painting named The Dancer in the Dark, and purchased it right away. This particular painting now belongs to one of my friends, a non-painting purchaser. Once I asked him why he prefers Jingdong’s painting, he replied: Jingdong’s painting is like my inner heart.

 

Jingdong has no private space as he lives with his parents. His bedroom is also used as his working room, only one step distance between his bed and his easel. However his room is very tidy, and a lot of my favorite painting works have been emerged from this tiny bedroom together with painting room. Most of Jingdong’s works are of still object, with the theme of flower and the vase. Why I am so attracted by his paintings is that he employs dynamic expression to reveal the still object. There is motion in the still, there is character in the still, and those unspeakable emotion in life flows over his paintings. His exquisite skill combines with his spiritual quality, making his painting language be melancholy but not sorrow-stricken, the nobility spring out of the decadence, and expose an everlasting restraint.

 

Jingdong’s paintings are full of theatricality. Standing in front of the oil paintings of still object, you may feel like standing in front of the stage, show just begun or curtain called. Those flowers and leaves seem like woman in dancing. His still object is a kind of grey-color narration, harmony in appearance and contradiction within. It seemly emphasizes that life is splendid like flower, no matter what we experienced in the past, or what we are experiencing at present.

 

I believe that my future would not be alone accompanied with Jingdong’s paintings. It is my fortune to acquaint with such painter as Jingdong in the years ignoring morality and accomplishment. I hope more people can share this fortune with me, as it is a beautiful thing to me.

by Xueyi written in July 24, 2005 at XYZ Art Gallery