Feng Dakang - Solo Exhibition - Urban Disintegration Nov 10 - Nov 24, 2007
The “Homeland” series of paintings by Feng Dakang are melancholic and thematically poetic. As the artist is obsessed with architecture, decay and destruction, he paints buildings in a state of ruin or demolition. Yet, these seemingly damaged structures are wonderfully delicate. Feng Dakang uses oil and acrylic paint and his choice of colors create an exceptional palette every time. The details of his composition – the bricks, wood and cracked concrete – are skillfully rendered with keen attention to detail.. As a result, one might overlook his expression of annihilation and impending demise for extraordinary beauty on canvas. Upon closer examination however, the ‘human heart’ that the artist applies to his urban landscapes makes the architectural remains seem vulnerable. The somewhat skeletal frames of the structures are fatigued and fractured as though the buildings have faded with age. In this way, the broken windows of the buildings could symbolize a hopeless spirit. The glassless windows offer no view of what might have been pastoral landscapes in the building’s former day. Unlike the natural ageing process however, the ‘lives’ of Feng Dakang’s buildings have fallen short due to existing in a world that is rushing towards modernity.
In simple terms, Feng Dakang expresses his feelings about modern skyscrapers replacing beautiful old architecture; it is a tragedy which he records in his paintings. Like many Chinese artists who are concerned with the societal and cultural effects of the “China Boom”, Feng Dakang defends heritage and character. However, his expression is profoundly gentle and unique. In addition to preserving history, he is also concerned about the displacement of people and the environment. By subtly juxtaposing lone buildings with images such as a floating doll, a dying flower or an airplane, the artist’s meaning is comprehensive. For example, one can imagine the child with whom the doll used to belong to and the garden the flower once flourished in. The overall effect is sad and eerie. Similarly, the buildings in contrast to the flying airplanes elicit the sense of complete isolation. As though the decayed buildings he depicts are the last on earth, it is clear that Feng Dakang feels a great loss for these abandoned structures. In this way, the buildings are in a perpetual state of semi-demolition. The airplanes are also symbolic of the modern world in which discovering new lands is easy and accessible. The tension between human construction and nature exists within the many layers of the artist’s work. Not only is urbanization replacing history and beautiful landscapes on a global scale, it is happening at an alarmingly rapid pace in China.
In addition to offering a profound and intelligent insight on urbanization, Feng Dakang is also highly trained. He received his Masters Degree of painting at one of China's top art academies. His skill and talent lead him to be selected as a top 20 finalist at the reputable Dragonair Chinese Emerging Artist Awards at Art Scene Warehouse (2006). He has exhibited worldwide from Asia to North America to Europe, and he was featured at the world famous Art Cologne art exposition in 2007. The work of this young artist is highly appreciated internationally because of his fresh and creative approach to a mature theme – a theme that affects us all.
