Ten thousand years ago, in the early stages of humanity, individuals were already sketching numerous animal forms on the cave walls: wild buffalo, mammoths, lions, and wild horses... These images, whether the earliest religious totems or embodiments of human nightmares, now appear vivid and incredibly compelling, regarded as the earliest forms of "art."
In truth, animals precede humans; we originate from them and, regardless of our advancements, remain fundamentally animals. Mr. Big once said, "My child, we may be evolved... but deep down, we are still animals."
In traditional Chinese culture, from the Eastern Han Dynasty's "Horse Treading on Flying Swallows" to Dunhuang's "Six Toothed Divine Elephants" and "Nine Colored Deer", from the Tang Dynasty's "Five Ox Painting" to the bird with slanted eyes under Zhu Da's pen in the Qing Dynasty, modern times have more: Qi Baishi's shrimp, Xu Beihong's horse, Huang Zhou's donkey, Li Keran's cow, Li Kuchan's eagle, Wu Zuoren's panda... We have never lacked paintings with animal themes from various periods, and have endowed them with new historical significance.
Growing up with a passion for both painting and animals in Beijing, my childhood lacked the rural setting where one could interact with wild creatures. However, there was the zoo, a place with more exotic animals that kept me going back, along with numerous scientific magazines and books. Ernest Thompson Seton 's animal novels fascinated me, and the exploits of Jane Goodall captured my imagination. Now, with the Internet and ChatGPT, the fascination continues.
Even before entering art school, I was already captivated by depicting animal forms, a theme that has persisted for the past 40 years.
When facing the canvas, I strive to capture fleeting moments of vibrant life, an expression of reverence, praise, and respect for life.
I am deeply infatuated with:
- The shapes of life, like the stripes on a tiger's arched back.
- The colors of life, like the gleam on a white cat's whiskers.
- The postures of life, like the innocent eyes of a fawn.
- The power of nature, like the robust twist of a male mountain goat's neck.
- The tenderness of nature, like the graceful curve of a giraffe mother's neck.
- The speed of nature, like the spots as a cheetah dashes by.
...
Five years ago, I immigrated to New York, a world cultural hub. The art spanning various periods in museums captivates me, offering profound inspiration. While I appreciate artists like Soutine, Picasso, Jason Pollock, Keith Haring, Willem de Kooning, and Kiefer, I find myself drawn to the Natural History Museum, encountering new life that never ceases to fascinate me, be it dinosaurs or saber-toothed tigers.
As a result, my artworks not only feature present-day species but gradually incorporate extinct species, potential future species, mythical creatures, and those only found in dreams—all encompassing the imagery of animals.
I believe every life embodies a natural beauty, independent and dignified, unaffected by us humans. It is a gushing, vibrant force—a source of art for me. Painting is a funnel, collecting the realities of the moment, filtering, selecting, digesting, and refining them into visual images.
I am always excited, seeking vividness, as if getting closer to an ever-elusive beauty, prompting me to continuously apply paint before the canvas—direct and unreserved. It feels as though I am the primal person facing the cave wall...
May these vibrant and splendid lives, much like ours, in my paintings, awaken more people's primal memories, sparking thoughtful reflections in the present. May they continue to accompany us ten thousand years from now.
December 31, 2023, Wei Hai
My art works can be found on my website www.haiweiart.com and personal social media page WWW.https://www.facebook.com/hai.wei.710?mibextid=LQQJ4d , or https://www.instagram.com/haiwei6/ Find appreciation and purchase.