冰雪压不跨 2016

Wang Xinfu made this painting titled 冰雪压不跨, with what looks like oil paint applied with a very free hand. The color palette seems restrained, mostly greys and greens, but then there are these vibrant browns and yellows peeking through. Looking at it, the surface is far from smooth, the paint is built up into thick, choppy strokes, and it is possible to tell what kinds of brushes might have been used in its making. The way that the colors interact creates a sense of depth and movement, like you could just reach out and touch the branches. Take a look at the centre of the image. See how the artist has made this area dense and chaotic, but then these small areas of bare canvas, where the support shines through, bring some light and air into the composition. This makes me think of some of Guston’s later paintings, and how he also used simple forms to express complex feelings. And that’s what art is all about, embracing all the different interpretations, and seeing where they take you.