DAPENG LIU | Trivial Things

“The Ethereal Series is an ongoing exploration of the interplay between abstraction and figuration, centered on the depiction of mountain and water landscapes. At the beginning, I drew inspiration from hard-edged and colour filed painting, and used translucent geometric forms to represent the constructed, man-made world, juxtaposed against the organic contours of natural landscapes. This dynamic contrast is at the heart of this series, as I concentrated my exploration on composition, colour and the delicate balance between representation and non-representation.

In some pieces, I removed figurative elements entirely, allowing the focus to shift toward the tension and harmony created by tonal variations and the repetitive rhythm of brushwork. These abstractions emphasise the emotive power of colour and form. Conversely, the more representational works moved beyond a purely realistic portrayal of nature, striving instead to evoke a contemplative, introspective landscape that I hoped resonate with inner emotional states.

Through this duality, the Ethereal Series seeks to create a visual dialogue between the external world and the internal landscape of feeling.”