Three Friends In Winter

Art is harmony, parallel with nature(Paul Cezanne)
Trees are ancient and eternal. They are also serene and mysterious, functioning as an enduring symbol of Nature’s powerful presence in Man’s lives.
n Buddhist tradition, Buddha meditated for seven weeks under a sacred banyan tree before attaining enlightenment. One of Zeus’ oracles was a whispering Oak tree located in Epirus, Greece. And in Norse mythology, a giant ash green tree, Yggdrasil, stood in the center of the universe governing the nine Norse worlds.

These stories define the idea that Man is as much a part of Nature as Nature is a part of Him.
Evidently carried forward through the ages, mankind and the natural world are shown to not be binary opposites, but are, in fact, inexplicably connected.
“Three Friends in Winter” is about this harmonious partnership between Man and Nature. Different trees hold many different symbolic meanings across cultures and contexts, yet a simple idea remains throughout: Man and Nature are one
In Chinese tradition, the Pine, Bamboo and Plum together has symbolised unwavering friendship and remarkable perseverance from as early as the 1200s (Yuan Dynasty).
The process on working on this paintings is intricate but fulfilling; I began by searching for a Batik cloth that evoked a wintry feeling, or a pattern that spoke to the power of Nature. Using the ‘found’ Batik cloth as a canvas, I incorporated the image of Pine, Bamboo and Plum within the fabric environment to create a sense of harmony between the backdrop and painted elements. This highlights the need for coexistence with regards to what is natural to the world and what is man-made. The final result showcases a bold visual through the use of this non-traditional medium. With an artistic language created through my appreciation of culture – the original source of inspiration and identity for my work – I present a personal response to the unknowable futures of art and its relationship to culture and heritage in telling the stories of my past.
Perhaps when this painting are view intimately, viewers can
transform their own imaginary fauna where they transforms themselves into animals, wild, tame, or birds to fly together.