Artwork Appreciation
LIN Cheng’s Life in Army Series ink paintings were based upon her experiences in the military and the gap between her imagination and the reality of the outfit. The isolation and deprivation of freedom during national service paved the way for the Holiukan Series based upon modern manga themes. Spirit(2) featured her unique ink wrinkling method, and was inspired by boring computer courses she took during her time in the uniform. Observations of the head and hair of other comrades were converted and overlapped to form personalized symbols and elements. The work included eight panels arranged to form the frontal portion of a motorcycle, the object that symbolized the connection between the military camp and the outside world. The motorcycle served as Sun Wukong’s Flying Cloud that ferried dreams for freedom. The artist attempted to use this work to convey the impacts of the cookie-cutter training process as well as the helplessness experienced during military life.