橘色金黄 2020

Editor: So here we have Wang Xinfu’s 2020 oil painting, entitled “Orange Gold”. There’s such a strong sense of texture; it’s incredibly tactile, almost like I could reach out and touch a real, three-dimensional surface. What are your initial thoughts when you see this piece? Curator: Immediately, I'm struck by the post-modern tension at play here. On one hand, there's the clear embrace of pure abstraction reminiscent of mid-century abstract expressionism. But it’s from 2020, and matter-painting is a pretty distinct choice in the current climate. I mean, what does such an unapologetically dense and textural abstract work *do* in our image-saturated world? Editor: That's a good question. I hadn't really thought about its place within the current artistic landscape. Curator: Consider its relationship to the viewer. The work doesn’t invite casual viewing, does it? It seems to demand active engagement, to force the viewer to reckon with materiality and presence. Editor: Right, the texture and vibrant colour push against the idea of art as passive decoration, don't they? Curator: Precisely. How might Wang be positioning himself, or perhaps even critiquing, contemporary image culture by creating something so stubbornly physical and, arguably, demanding? Is this meant to confront how disembodied art is in the digital space? Editor: This piece definitely gives me something to think about regarding the role and meaning of physical art in a digital world. Thank you for your perspectives! Curator: My pleasure! Reflecting on that interplay helps to deepen my appreciation, as well.