Artists

Flowing Times & Recollections

Just like what Liang Xiao Sheng said: “Life is merely a series of nostalgic episodes - that form our memories - put together. Its nature is based on those feelings that linger in our hearts, and has nothing to do with our thoughts or concepts…” My paintings are the same, just like the nostalgic episodes of our lives, only that these episodes do not form the nature of my paintings.

My paintings are not simply remembrances of concrete objects, even though I try to use an almost perfect artistic language to depict them. The nature of my heart is in fact obsessed with memories.  When memories bring an emotion of nostalgia with a beam of yellow light; green leaves hidden in the shade; or an abandoned worn out bicycle, these objects accidentally trigger splendid emotions within us that recall our deep rooted memories and recollections. Shoe repairs, iron gates, garages…these are things and scenes we have come across with or touched in the past. Now, I stand by them at a distance, quietly recalling their smell. It brings back my memories, allowing me to cherish those series of long gone feelings. Warm golden sunset shines upon rain rusted iron articles, while the dimness and silence of the night walk them through their loneliness. This is the place where dreams begin… Whenever we toil and thrive for our unknown future, can we possibly stop at that very moment and trace back the trails to our past? Because the passing of time is just as quiet and bland as a current of water, therefore I use my own way to enhance the sensitiveness and deep rootedness of memories.

Aged things often possess the ability to embrace time, while decaying and broken objects can also provoke a desire in us to trace back lost emotions. Through the portrayal of worn-out objects, I intend to unite these two sensations, allowing time to wander through emotions - at times like a murmuring stream, at times like a rapid - experiencing the elapsing of emotions within silent and sonorous rhythms.

My daily life and my daily surroundings seem to be interpreting my memories and my feelings on a subconscious level. But it is also these same emotions that cause my obsession for images of daily objects. When I make use of the image of things that touch my heart to complete the picture in my paintings, I come into intimate contact with my heart once again. This is an exploration into my inner self emotions, and it is also a deepening of my emotions through the realisation of my perfect innermost feelings.

Memories can seem as humdrum as city life, but in my heart, memories can mean the entire world. In the search of imageries that reflect memories, I use my soul to feel and believe in the perfection memories. No matter it is joyful or sad, regardless of its importance…

Chen Yong Liang
Beijing
23 July 2009