Essence is an abstract contemporary take on escapism, dwelling not on pleasurable activities but on the pleasure of an intimate and subjective encounter with the beauty and colors of nature. Its pleasure unfurls in the mind, taking viewers’ thoughts momentarily away from the strains of the present to the familiar yet uninhibited beauty of nature. The artist's distinctive teeming and vibrant 3-dimensional floral paintings have endeared him to art collectors and nature enthusiasts across the globe. His works are as pleasing to the mind as they are to the eyes, and the color-changing perspectival dynamism of his creations make them a spectacular addition to creative and living spaces.
Hong Yi's new artworks came about through his desire to escape the restrictions of lockdown and to remain awake to the beauty of nature through creativity. This desire led him to embrace his craft all the more as a means of overcoming the anxiety-inducing effects of isolation, while also spreading his message of hope and positivity. Rebirth encapsulates this message. Its pink color symbolizes prosperity and its abundance across the full horizon of the canvas represents the blossoming hope for sunnier, more favorable times to come.
This collection builds on familiar themes in Hong Yi's works, such as the transcendent beauty of flowers and the subjectiveness of perception and experience. As in previous collections, the artist draws on Buddhist philosophy, Chinese culture, and the impressionist tradition to create his signature sculptural floral paintings. By his own account, however, these new artworks created during lockdown are studies of positive emotions captured as part of his own personal journey to embrace hope in a time of smothering negativity. It is a journey that involves consciously seeking out the brighter side of life, a journey which he aims to share with viewers.
