Author:Wu Guan-De

Size:Length:110 x Width:45 (cm)

Size description：129x64x3.1(含框)

Introduction：Wu Guan-De (1979-), born in Taipei, holds a Bachelor’s degree from the Fine Arts Department at National Kaohsiung Normal University and a Master’s degree in Western Painting from the Graduate Institute of Fine Arts at National Taiwan Normal University. He serves as the Secretary-General and a director of the Chinese Asia-Pacific Watercolor Art Association and is a member of the Taiwan International Watercolor Society. Wu excels in depicting atmospheric perspective and uses gray tones as the foundational theme throughout his paintings. His works are characterized by fluid brushstrokes and a blend of realistic and abstract techniques to portray intricate foliage. The delicate atmosphere of his pieces evokes the watercolor techniques of British Romantic master J.M.W. Turner, and his overlapping methods capture the essence of nature’s silent philosophical musings on life.
This particular piece depicts Wu's great-uncle, Mr. Wu Yao-Chung, who was a painter. During the White Terror period, Wu Yao-Zhong was sentenced to eight years in prison for treason at the age of thirty, due to his involvement in a reading group with writer Chen Ying-Chen, where they read socialist literature. Despite picking up painting again after his release, he remained deeply depressed and succumbed to cirrhosis at the age of forty-nine. His great-uncle left behind a large easel with an unfinished pale canvas.
Wu uses gray tones and contrasting mottled light and shadow to convey the poignant sense of history and personal anguish, as if a door has been opened to reveal harsh light illuminating a long-dusty easel. This technique reflects the sense of sorrow and helplessness regarding his ancestor. The black-and-white easel, the empty wooden stool in front, and the pale silhouette of a young man on the white canvas resemble an old photograph of a long-departed relative, conveying a poignant reflection on the indelible scars of history. This work stands as a solemn expression of the author's deep pain and sorrow for the unrelenting passage of time and the lasting impact of historical wounds.

Accession Number:PT09785600