This is a painting dedicated to the Chinese culture and one of its main philosophies – Taoism. The profound patience required to master the over seven thousand “simplified” Chinese pictographs, is likely the underlying force behind the various inventions that the Chinese culture has contributed to humanity including but not limited to: paper, printing, the compass, gunpowder, porcelain, and silk. Even the Chinese wall, the only man made structure visible from space, was not enough to prevent China from spreading its influence to the world and being influenced by the west in return. As proposed in Taoism, one cannot prevent flow; movement and change are in our Nature.
The central structure of the painting is an actual brass gong with hand- engraved fish symbolizing Yin and Yang, framed by a “Bagua” made of silk and bamboo. The painting also displays: over 7000 Chinese characters printed on the background wall; a model ear used by acupuncturists; a traditional Chinese tea pot; a “Pecking Duck” serving plate; the bust of the leader Mao; a vase with chrysanthemums and a “Dragon with grenades” decoration; the traditional paper “take-out” box; and the mandarin fruit which is used as both food and medicine.
©2014 Ink, paper, oil, engraved metal gong, silk, bamboo. 36”x60” (91x150cm)