Locust-tree Flower
Su Tianci
1962
- YEAR:1962
- MEDIUM:Oil on canvas
- DIMENSIONS:66.5 x 55.5 cm
Introduction
As an outstanding contemporary Chinese oil painter and art educator, Su Tianci has devoted his entire life to develop a distinctive modern Chinese oil painting style with a national character. Flowers were Su Tianci’s favourite theme, and Locust-tree Flower exemplifies Su’s fusion of Chinese and Western painting techniques and interests. With delicate colours and flowing brushstrokes, it depicts the vibrant locust blossoms. The branches, adorned with green leaves, are arranged with an elegant balance of density, and the petals are bright, thick, and textured. The vibrant sophora flowers exude an artistic lyricism that expresses optimism for life. These stylistic elements mark the painting as one of the most important works of Su’s artistic career. The title of the work is derived from his motto, “I will fully embrace (huai) the spring sunshine,” where the clever pun of the Chinese name for sophoras, huai, on the Chinese word for “embrace,” also pronounced huai, declares the artist’s ideals in life and art.
