Untitled

Abstract

Artist's statement: "This painting is inspired by news I read online about the severe teenager violence and the left-over children and old men in the countryside due to the accelerating urbanization in China. I pick symbolic and powerful images of each group and place them in an obscure space that does not allude to any specific place, but an imaginary surreal environment that is consisted of geometric patterns and marks. In this painting, I continue to explore the possible expression of different combinations of colors. I intend to challenge myself with a limited color palette, which departs sharply from my previous practice that focused on the maximum use of colors. I base my choice of palette on the conceptual meaning, which is dissembled down to the conflict between the vulnerable and the privileged. The subject matter guides me to use a color scheme that formally addresses the relationship between the two forces, which I consider a successful aspect of the painting. However, what can be pushed further is the numbers and composition of the selected symbols, which might enrich the content and strength the tone. In addition, there can be more varieties of patterns and marks, which can help break and confuse the space and heighten sense of chaos and violence."

This is a digital photograph of Lily Huo's painting. It was submitted as an assignment in the spring 2016 Intermediate/Advanced Painting class taught by Professor Erin Harmon.