Alive / 生

Chinese character "生 / shēng", means alive (antonyms to "death"), born, birth, grow...Generally it's a commendatory and positive term in most of the Chinese expressions. But in some situations it can also mean "untrained" "Inexperienced" or "uncooked(raw)".

The artwork is a fusion of traditional Chinese calligraphy and contemporary surrealistic expression. The character consists of 2 parts, the black silky scarf outside the mirror and the female form inside the mirror. When the ethereal drape silk flows over the hand-painted canvas background, it brings out a visual sensation similar to the poetic fluidity of calligraphy on Chinese Shuen paper, weaving a story of tradition and elegance.

The flowering crabapples, as fresh natural life, echoes the literal meaning "alive" of this character. The female form reflected in the mirror adds dimensions, softness, emotive weights, and surrealistic feelings to the creation, as women are designed to be life-giving by GOD. Women's Connectedness to Nature is always part of my expressions.

*Photographs are printed on hahnemühle fine art gallery paper. Canvas is optional. Frame and mat not included. Please message me for additional sizes or custom cropping (if applicable).