MAONAN SERIES

Maonan people created their dances, sculptures, clothing, and other art forms in the pursuit of happiness. They are daily lives for the natives, but also mysterious, original, and unique to the world.

I used collage, drawing, and other media to explore my favourite Maonan clothing pattern, bamboo hats, Nuo masks, Feitao dance, and other cultural heritages, in which I better understand these are their beliefs about gods and emotional sustenance. Through the deconstruction and reorganization of visual forms and colors, I developed new visual styles from the most characteristic symbols in Maonan traditional culture.

A deeper understanding of Maonan Nuo masks aroused my interest in woodcuts. Although I couldn’t learn how to make masks, I did a lot of practice with woodcut printings to show a dynamic art expression that lines with the embodiment of Maonan prayers and ritual themes, with lines & surfaces presentation and mixing graffiti color use.

May Temple Festival

This painting is part of the “Preserving Maonan Culture” series, drawing inspiration from the Maonan ethnic group's Dragon Dividing Festival. It vividly depicts a scene from the festival where the Maonan people use a dragon boat to transport a flock of white geese to the market. A man in a black robe is seen guiding the boat forward. The dragon's head is artistically rendered in a geometric style, enhanced by the bright sunlight, combining ethnic traditions with modern artistic flair. The painting captures the vibrant vitality of minority culture.

Two Dragons

This masterpiece captures the Maonan ethnic group's Dragon Dividing Festival. In the foreground, two dragons dance in perfect unison, embodying harmony and strength. The scene is anchored by a local landmark, grounding the spectacle in its cultural roots. The background, infused with glitch art allure, merges digital design with ancient wisdom, symbolizing the ethereal connection between spiritual essence and our modern fascination with virtual realms. I aimed to breathe life back into the forgotten minority culture, weaving in contemporary elements. With a vivid interplay of bold blues and fiery reds, I crafted a visual symphony, leaving an indelible mark on the beholder's soul. This painting not only celebrates the Maonan people's cultural opulence but also delves into the mystical parallels between age-old beliefs and our contemporary enchantment with the digital unknown.

The Nuo Dance

This captures the vibrant stage of the Nuo Dance. I meticulously carved the performers' images onto wooden blocks and printed them on paper using a variety of colors. Subsequently, I enhanced the details with acrylic markers. The scene bursts with energy and delight. The dancers, dressed in a riot of colours, beautifully exhibit the cultural essence and ethnic charm of the Maonan people. Their movements are both graceful and powerful, expressing their fervour and vitality.

The Lion Dance

This artwork skillfully juxtaposes familiar festive celebrations with the overlooked culture of minority communities, sparking contemplation about the significance of “preserving cultural diversity”. In the foreground, a vibrant lion dance unfolds, the energetic lions swaying exuberantly. Meanwhile, the background, painted in deep, muted tones, conveys the village's enigmatic silence, mirroring the forgotten culture of the Miao minority.

Pray

This artwork portrays a moment from

a sacred blessing ritual of the Miao ethnic group.

Adorned in traditional costumes and wearing Nuo masks, performers gracefully engage in the ancient Nuo dance. The vivid and captivating background naturally draws the viewers' eyes, highlighting the mystery and brilliance of minority cultures. Using acrylic markers, I meticulously captured the intricate details of their attire in the foreground, adding depth and richness to the overall composition.

Faces

This painting draws inspiration from the Nuo masks of the Miao minority. These masks are used in Nuo opera, an ancient traditional art form of the Miao people, representing different characters and symbolic meanings. By wearing these masks, actors can portray various roles, delivering a captivating performance for the audience. At the centre of the image is a young girl wearing a Nuo mask, adding an air of mystery to her emotions and identity. Colourful Nuo masks of various shapes and sizes surround the girl. I meticulously depicted numerous details using fine strokes, making these wooden masks appear lifelike as if they were right in front of the viewers' eyes.