Bonds of world or Dream 1990

YiFei Chen’s painting, "Bonds of world or Dream," uses oil paint in a way that feels both meticulous and dreamy. Look at how he builds up the textures of the fabric, it’s like he’s layering not just color, but also feelings. The surface has this incredible luminosity, doesn’t it? The way the light catches those reds and golds in her dress, the paint isn’t just on the canvas, it's alive. You can almost feel the weight of the material, the history woven into each thread. And then there's the birdcage, a tight composition within the larger one, these contrasts really create a somber mood. It makes you think about what it means to be held, seen, or maybe even unseen. Chen's work reminds me a bit of John Singer Sargent. He was also a magician with light, wasn't he? Both create a feeling of stillness and contemplation. Art is like one big conversation, echoing and evolving across time, don’t you think?