River

作品賞析

Artist Lee Tsai-En got her inspiration for River from the scenery along Wulai River in New Taipei City; she also integrated the Atayal concept of the three-stone stove into the scene. The Atayal people, who use the three-stone stove, gather around it to cook their food, so it is a symbol of continued life, family, and land ownership. Lee painted three large polyhedral stones in the foreground, next to the riverbank. Dry branches are set in the center of the triangle formed by the stones, and it seems that the embers are still glowing. Looking further into the distance, one sees several birds soaring above the river, and from the dense forest on the opposite side of the river a wisp of smoke is rising. Lee abandons realistic depiction but instead carefully observes things and then incorporates them into her own feelings. After much careful thought, she used the methods of multiple perspective in ink painting to depict the mountains and rocks on both sides of the riverbank. Delicate brushstrokes and elegant coloring give the painting abundant vitality and lead the viewer to enjoy the scenery through the artist’s eyes.