Guangyuan Liu (frank)
In my works, the harmonious interplay of colours, meticulously arranged compositions, and the infusion of life into each object create a profound visual sensory experience as if the elements within the artwork are telling a story. I excel at combining representational techniques with contemporary elements and a hint of expressionistic surrealism. All of my works criticise and satirise the actions of the real world while promoting a heightened awareness of sustainable development and ecological preservation.
The Chains
Amidst the backdrop of an era characterised by the rampant hunting of wild creatures and the relentless destruction of natural habitats, the Earth is besieged by massive catastrophes that extend from the land to the depths of the sea. It is against this disheartening backdrop that “The Chains” takes shape. With each brushstroke, I aim to emphasise the contradiction of humanity’s actions: on the one hand, we are contributing to the deterioration of the planet, and on the other, we are indulging in the pursuit of extravagant and luxurious objects. The human race relentlessly pursues gems, gold, and animal fur, which are all integral components of luxurious products that represent ambition and greed. The opulent bags they flaunt are mere external manifestations of their insatiable desires. The privileged and wealthy, propelled by an insatiable desire for wealth and power, lead lives of leisure and excess, accumulating fortunes without exertion. In the actual world, the ever-widening chasm between the wealthy and the poor becomes more pronounced. Through my painting, I intend to serve as a messenger, issuing a powerful warning and instilling awareness among those who encounter “The Chains” By juxtaposing the elegance and allure of the necklace with the sombre truth of environmental degradation and societal inequality, I hope to evoke an emotional response from my audience. It is a call to action, encouraging individuals to reevaluate their consumerist tendencies and contemplate the significance of their choices.
Untitled
ymbolic item that typically represents the sexiness,
confidence, and power of women. In this painting, the
high heels emphasize the allure of money,
symbolizing the pursuit of a luxurious lifestyle. The
relationship between money and luxury reinforces this
pursuit, and it criticizes the omnipotence of money in
today’s society and satirizes materialism.
The gold coins falling from the sky are a metaphor for
the fact that some people come by their wealth too
quickly, without the need to work hard or use
legitimate means. This creates a sense of unreality,
falsehood, and unfairness in how the wealthy use
money to gain advantages and status.
On a deeper level, the painting suggests that people’s
pursuit of money and wealth in modern society has
lost its moral and ethical foundation. They only focus
on immediate fame, fortune, and enjoyment.
Therefore, through this painting, I express my
criticism of the omnipotence of money in
contemporary society and its negative impact on
people’s values and beliefs.
Soundless Roar
Humans continue to hunt wild
animals nowadays. Many people like to wear clothes
made from expensive animal skins and accessories
made from animal bones and teeth that they believe
have special powers, such as tiger teeth to fend off evil
spirits and mink skins to represent decency and
privilege. Of course, as demand developed, hunting
wild animals became a trade in which one might make
a lot of money in a short period. Hunting animals to
serve human demands is immoral, merciless and
unconscionable. It everything comes down to money,
vanity, and pleasure. The rarer the species, the more
valuable and sought after it is, and the riskier its
existence.
• The gold dollar, with the flowing blood of those
animals on it, represents the source of all this evil.
Animals are also life, a part of nature, and we all share
one world, so why harm each other? This makes me
sad.
• I sought a way to express some of my emotions
through this painting, including criticism and satire of
hedonistic groups, as well as strong sympathy for
hunted wildlife.
Leisure Time
A man with red leather shoes crossed his
legs and propped them up on a chair. This
painting， has piles of gold, countless game
coins, and opulent chairs. It prompts
reflection on money and the material world,
specifically the influence money has on
people’s behaviour and how people become
slaves to money. It raises questions about
the link between money and worthwhile
endeavours. This artwork appears to depict
the overwhelming power of money to the
point where it enslaves humans. The
crossed legs and comfortable stance
suggest a sense of control over money as
well as a fascination with material
indulgence. The gleaming red leather shoes
and the mounds of gold and coins highlight
the appeal of money and people’s desire for
material items.
The Gluttonous Feast- back to the wall
“In my painting, The Crisis of the Tantalizing
Feast,” the use of colour is bold. Some highly
pure colours create strong contrasts between
the objects as if there is a strong and
impulsive desire. In the centre of the painting,
you can see a swan, which represents purity
and kindness, and those in society who
accept their fate despite knowing it is unfair.
The large lobster represents those who
struggle, but when faced with greater power
and influence, they see themselves as tools
and victims. The poisonous snake represents
the dark forces that can do whatever they
want because they have power and money,
oppressing vulnerable groups to satisfy their
desires… The layout of the entire painting is
arranged like a comedy movie that is paused
mid-action. The farce takes place near an
iceberg, so you can see how luxurious the
feast is. In short, this painting has many
elements, and the objects are intertwined.
You can carefully observe the connection
between each object and what will happen
next, and the use of strong colours adds to
the scene’s foolishness and dramatic effect.”
A single spark
People say, “A single spark can start a prairie fire”. The fire represents
hope, and this is the spark that ignited a new aesthetic form. These
creatures are restrained by ropes, but they are still struggling. I observed
a spirit of tenacity in them. What if they manage to get out from under
their restrictions and reclaim their freedom? This gives me the
impression that there is always hope, no matter how challenging the
circumstances may be, as long as the spark in our hearts doesn’t die and
we don’t give up.
