Zhao
Kai Lin’s The Village Seems Far Away
Zhao
has taken fresh approaches in his new paintings, using
traditional
Chinese paintings as his background. As
usual, his modern girls are positioned in the center of the painting, and there
is a reversal of time and space: the landscape seems to become real, and the
modern girl is transformed into a girl from ancient times. Zhao Kailin paints them in subdued tones, making their
glorious culture and life appear far away, but the connection between past and
present is obvious. The girl, elegant and tranquil, embodies what Zhao thinks of
China and its culture.
Zhao
worked on this piece for a considerable time, adjusting the lightness and tone
between background and foreground many times, even re-painting the whole piece
while seeking the ideal balance through which to reveal his vision. For the
details in the background, it took him a long time to figure out how much should
be. Now antiquity seems far away, but the girl still resides within it.
Concentration falls on the girl, light shines on her face and body, and she is
the focal point. Her pose, her fingers, the line of her arm, her simple necklace
and golden dress, even the fan in her hand, and most importantly, the expression
on her face, none of them fail to express his concept of beauty. Zhao paints the
inner depths. There is more than just a pretty face on the canvas; behind it,
one finds the soul, a mood quietly speaking.