User:XHou

Artist Statement

After several years of changes in current affairs, I have come to gradually understand that the transformation of cities and people’s daily lives remains a dominant theme in the arts, even if this consideration sometimes seems to be overshadowed sports or current events. The theme may sometimes seem to fade and weaken; yet, the influence of normal life constantly asserts itself and becomes increasingly powerful. The play of the so-called “weaker/stronger”, perhaps, is the true source of artistic charm.

The “One World One Dream” series is based on the streets of Beijing of 2008; they explore the people’s attitudes toward life in the context of 2008…their status and attitudes, the tension, curiosity, hope, confusion, frustration, panic……

These paintings reflect people’s real-life dreams, desires and aspirations in relation to the character of the city, and through this, I discover things about my own individual life, my own dreams, my own aspirations by humbly observing the city’s restless movement and listening to its urban sounds. The “I” "as a spectator becomes an element of the painting that expresses the reflection that "I" and the world around me are bound in a close relationship.

In June 2011, I established a second studio on edge of Rockland Harbour in Rockland, Maine. I live in a mysterious centuries old New England, federal-style house; its surroundings intrigue me and feed a strong sense of curiosity. The fog that envelops the house and a nearby lighthouse, the humid air, wormy apples, spring and summer flowers and even the lobster traps and sailboats captivate me. A city of strangers, even a small town, is amazing and exciting. The experience of being alone here fills me with a sense of mystery and fear; in Maine, a new series of paintings has now emerged. Maine's beauty and serenity contrasts with the noise and constant bustle of Beijing; they are two completely different worlds, but both feed my sense of being an external "I" viewing the world, observing my surroundings and considering people's lives. Both environments give rise to, perhaps, unreasonable feelings, which I will continue to explore. I appreciate the hustle and bustle of Beijing as a best place for everything, but Maine is a place where I feel the nature of the dream world. Living in any one place provokes thoughts of another that I miss and love that I cannot dismiss or avoid.

Where do we come from? Where do we want to go? How will our intent find its way?

Wang Nanfei

09/06/2011 Rockland, Maine