Joie de Vivre 1960

Walasse Ting made this sculpture, Joie de Vivre, in an unknown year, and I can only imagine the playful spirit he brought to it! The rough, textural surface and the deep, earthy tones of black and red suggest an excavation, like something unearthed from the depths of the earth. The way it is formed from what looks like globs of clay or mud, smushed and shaped with raw, immediate gestures makes me think the making of it was a highly physical, almost primal process. I wonder, was Ting thinking of ancient fertility figures or some kind of elemental earth spirit? The title ‘Joie de Vivre’ seems ironic in a way, given the somber palette, yet it also hints at a celebration of life's messy, imperfect beauty. It’s like Ting is reminding us that joy can be found even in the most unexpected places. The sculpture invites us to think about the relationship between form and feeling. It is a good example of the ongoing conversation and exchange of ideas across time.