Painter Huang Jinxi’s works have always focused on natural landscapes, with most of his inspiration coming from scenes he sees while hiking. Therefore, the landscapes of Hong Kong are often seen in his works. For landscape painters, going out to sketch and capture scenes is a daily necessity. However, due to the global pandemic, travel is not possible. This led him to use Google Earth’s touring feature to paint famous landscapes from around the world. These works are showcased in his solo exhibition “The Lonely Journey,” allowing viewers to visually travel the world!
The exhibition showcased a total of 109 paintings, including 9 large and medium-sized oil paintings, all of which were created by the artist from December of last year to the present through “travels” recorded via Google Earth! Through the screen, as if personally experiencing it, the artist walks to different corners of the world. The artist first selects a location, then uses the walking function to find the ideal angle for composition. With the mindset of sketching landscapes, even though unable to visit in person, he still paints breathtaking water, light, mountains, and local scenic spots.
In this exhibition of large paintings, the Chief Rock, the Faroe Islands, Mount Fuji, Machu Picchu, the Eiffel Tower, the Matterhorn, Mount Akina, the Romanian Happy Cemetery, and the famous California King Canyon National Park’s Big Tree Trail are all featured! Among them, the California Big Tree Trail is about 3 meters high, and the artist attempted to paint with the canvas upright for the first time, hoping that others will feel surrounded by the sky and big trees when viewing it.
The artist combines visual experiences and intuitive imagination in painting, often using bright yet soft colors. The works often have a fairy-tale-like aesthetic, healing the soul while also prompting viewers to contemplate the relationship between humans, nature, and virtual reality.
As a landscape painter, Huang Jinxi has always shouldered the responsibility of recording throughout his creative journey. Because he feels that landscapes cannot stay forever, he cherishes the scenery in front of him even more every time he walks on mountain roads. He believes that through painting, he can forever preserve the scenery in front of him, so he has started to observe the surrounding environment more deeply.
In the past, most of the paintings were connected to his own life, but due to the epidemic, it encouraged him to detach from the epidemic life and find inspiration for creation in a different way. If you haven’t traveled for a long time, why not follow the artist’s eyes and explore the fascinating scenery around the world together!
Wong Chun Hei “Solitary Journey”
Date: July 3 to August 7, 2021
Time: 11:00 am to 6:00 pm (Tuesday to Saturday)
Location: Safety Exit Gallery, 3rd Floor, Tai Sang Industrial Building, 25 Hing Wo Street, Aberdeen, Hong Kong
