古镇奇缘 2015

Wang Xinfu’s painting, “古镇奇缘”, appears to be made with oil on canvas, and is a total explosion of colour and texture. The paint is applied so thickly, it's almost sculptural. The impasto is like a relief map of the artist's emotions. Look at how the colours are dabbed and swirled, especially in the centre of the piece where the figures are, creating a sense of movement and chaos, a real painterly energy. There’s a specific daub of bright yellow in the middle of the painting that catches my eye; it’s like a tiny sun, radiating outwards and animating the entire scene. The physicality of the medium, the sheer presence of the paint, makes this more than just a picture. It’s an event! I’m reminded of Soutine, someone else who wasn’t afraid to let the paint do its thing and who wasn’t worried about perfection. Just like Soutine, Wang Xinfu seems to embrace the messiness of life, the beautiful imperfection of being.