Ou-Yang Wen(1924-2012)

Oil Painting

2000

Length:17.5 x Width:25 (cm)

Tracks was completed by this artist at the age of 76. It depicts the broken Longteng Station Bridge in Sanyi. These are remnants of the old railway line. In the distance, blue and purple clouds float by. A train goes by along the newer steel bridge, leaving behind a trail of steam and smoke. Passengers observe the remnants of this broken bridge hidden amid the overgrowth, the bridge that no longer connects to anywhere. The artist uses this broken bridge as a foothold on the past while looking into the modern, extending a way into the future to view eternity. This is a masterpiece for its realistic and thought-provoking conception.
Many of Ou-Yang's works feature this perspective of looking into the distance. This may be associated with the years he spent behind bars as a political prisoner. During those difficult days, all he could do was look out a small window of his cell and think about his home. As more and more time went by since those painful days, his works gradually began to feature sparks of light or a small blossoms. The meaning is that no matter how bleak your situation or environment, do not lose sight of hope.

Accession number:A0136