Weird Rabbit After Understanding Painting
Wu Chen
武晨
Production date
2014
Object Detail
Media
acrylic on canvas
Measurements
125 x 90 cm
Notes
This is one of the last paintings that Wu Chen made in Chengdu before his move to Beijing and his first solo show the following year. Playfully juxtaposing a reference to Joseph Beuys famous 1965 performance work ‘How to Explain Pictures to a Dead Hare’ with the visual tropes of Dutch still life painting such as oysters and pearls – and the hanging hare itself – Wu Chen is reflecting on the relationship between art and success as he contemplates a move to China’s artistic centre of Beijing. In a conversation with Liu Ye, Wu said, ‘I can probably say money is art’s best friend, but also forever its enemy.’ The dark background, the white cloth pinned to the wall, and the symbols of wealth, earthly pleasures and death recall the history of the Vanitas painting, while the inclusion of the artist’s palette suggests the Latin phrase ‘Ars Longa, Vita Brevis’ – ‘art is eternal, life is short’ – perhaps a reference to the young artist’s sense of urgency.
Accession number
2014.062