Sketchbook of Jiangcheng

Author: Jiang Cheng
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-12-01
Features: The donkey is always the focal point of the image, with Jiang Cheng placing them in a blank space devoid of environmental background. He set himself a challenge: through the dynamic combinations of donkey groups—such as those looking at each other with affection, those nuzzling each other, those showing motherly love, those caring for one another, some fighting playfully, some meditating with closed eyes, some gathering in a crowd, and some braying— he created a completely blank yet distinctly perceivable space. In his works, the donkey is not only a meaningful spirit but also a personified spirit. Thus, from the images that contain only donkeys, one can see far more than just the donkeys themselves and instead feel an immense wealth of Shaanxi rural charm and humanistic landscapes, imagining Jiang Cheng's life's joys and sorrows as well as his personality and interests. Though the scene is absent, the viewer's eyes "perceive" it—this is possible because Jiang Cheng has a rich inner world of donkeys and Shaanxi in his heart. The painter's lifelong experience in Shaanxi has allowed him to understand and portray the donkey within the broader context of the Yellow Land's entire living atmosphere and cultural spirit. He treats the donkey as an artistic medium to express his life's insights and nostalgia for his hometown.