In pursuit of the northern light
In December last year, Chinese artists Ma Qiusha, Sun Yao and Qiu Anxiong went on a weeklong trip to North Norway to draw inspiration from the Norwegian nature. They have since interpreted their impressions from this trip, which included a dog sled trip and a ”hunt” for the northern light in minus 40 degrees, in their own unique styles.
”Trace of Aurora”, the first of these works, was unveiled at the Norwegian pavilion with introductory speeches by State Secretary at the Norwegian Ministry of Trade and Industry Halvard Ingebrigtsen, Consul General in Shanghai Fred Harald Nomme and the artist himself. Fiddler Einar Olav Larsen assisted with a short performance during the unveiling itself, and the reactions to the painting among those present was very positive. ”The painting is a fine match for the Norwegian pavilion with its environmentalist message and abstract illustration of a natural phenomenon”, says Nomme.
The painting combines an abstract, dream-like depiction of the northern light in blue and green with an aggressive red shimmer that represents the artist’s fear of the destruction of the arctic landscape by global warming.
New impressions from Norway
After the end of the 2010 Shanghai EXPO, ”Trace of Aurora” is to be sold, whereas the works of Ma Qiusha and Qiu Anxiong will be shown throughout the summer and autumn on different occasions. Sun Yao was pleased with his trip to Norway and considers going back at a later date. ”I want to go back to Norway and gather new inspirations”, says Sun, who also works as a lecturer at Shanghai University.
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