On the 19th January, I visited the Fotanian
Open Studio with my course’s teacher and students. When we arrived, I had
special feeling on the building. It is an industrial building, which is old,
dirty and smelly. I cannot imagine that there are some beautiful paintings or
works in such an inconspicuous or even abhorrent building. Then, I chose to
visit Wah Luen industrial centre block A and started from the top of the
building.
The first studio, which impressed me, is
from Lyn Raymer. Her studio has not many works to display. However, the
atmosphere of her studio is warm and like her home. There is a long sofa, a
dining table, a microwave oven and even some food. Besides, there are a lot of
windows with wonderful view of mountains. Sunshine going through the widows
lets the room become brighter and we feel more energetic. I am thinking that a
comfortable atmosphere may be so important to an artist. In such a good
environment, they may have inspiration easier and quicker than expect.
Another reason of it impressed me is that
she is a Western artist but she drew a Chinese characteristics’ painting with
words and I like it so much.
Another studio that impressed me and is my
favorite is Joy Art Club from Winnie Davies. The first thing is the door. It is
sharp and the painting on it is like a primary school student’s work, which is
cute. Then, when I walked in, I found her studio is full of paintings and works
and they dazzle my eyes. The artist likes the beauty of human body so much and
she paints and does a lot of work of it with different meanings. Some of them
are talking the social issues; some of them are talking political affairs; some
of them are just appreciate the human body’s beauty. In addition, she paints a
lot of real scenes of China and Hong Kong, which are worth for us to think
deeply.
I love all of her works and the deep
meanings of her works. I have asked for the meaning of her works and she
explained to me very in detail. I believe if I didn’t ask her, I would not know
so much of her works. She lets me know that artists can paint to dig at the
political or social issues but they can also paint just for beauty. I like her
also because she is familiar with different aspects of painting and works,
including ink painting, oil painting, and sculpture. I think she is talented.
Also, her works are interesting and fruitful. In this area, all paintings and
works are about human body’s beauty; in that area, all paintings are about
digging at China’s political problems and Hong Kong’s problems; in that area,
the paintings are for beauty purpose only… I enjoy it so much.
The ink paintings are beautiful. They are
full of artistic conception and like the archaic one. I always feel ink
paintings are great because they just include black color and grey color by
using water to pale to it.
The left one is talking about People's
Liberation Army era, women’s beautiful body were all hid and it was
unfortunate. Actually, I haven’t thought of it before. Now, I think the women
that time were hard because they need to be a “man” and could not dress up.
The right one is talking about a woman who
was going to marry a man. However, she is thinking whether she should go before
she wore the canonical because she needed to pay for the “price” and she could
not regret.
These are a series of human body painting,
which are abstract. They look like hills…
These are the sculptures of legs and body.
They are very interesting.
And, she really likes human body...
He is Liu Xiaobo in the window with iron
grating--the prison.
There is an empty chair, because of...
This painting is talking now girls can
betray their body to have compensated dating for just a LV bag. This is what we
are facing in Hong Kong. I cannot tolerate these girls.
It is a view of demonstrating people from
the window. It reflects to the real Hong Kong now. Many people don't feel
satisfied of the government. They demonstrate and hope to attract the
government. But, have they been successful? Has the government paid attention
to them?
These are a series of four seasons. They
are like chaotic but actually are not coincidence.
There is still a studio that impressed me.
It is King’s Gallery from many Russian artists. There are many women portraits.
They are colorful and sharp. It is a big studio with so much space, chairs,
snacks and drink. The decoration is great too. It is more elegant comparing to
other studios and I believe this studio has more resources. From this studio, I
have thought a question: If the studio is more elegant and with food, will it
attract more people to come and visit? Because of comfortable, I also want to
stay longer. If yes, will it be unfair to other artists with less resource.
After visiting the studios, I realize that
although the outside of the building is ugly, there are many beautiful things
inside it. I thought studios must be at high class venues with elegant
decorations so that they can set off the beautiful paintings. But now, I know
that art can be so close to common people and places. Studios can be in such an
inconspicuous building but inside it is another world of the artists. I really
like this visit!
