逗艷(Competing Beauty)

“In my exhibition, this is a piece full of playfulness and energy, yet deeply rooted in the wisdom of life. I titled it ‘Competing Beauty’ Now, let me officially welcome you into this vibrant, colorful scene where life is in full bloom!

When most people see a burst of colorful flowers, the phrase that instantly pops into their heads is usually ‘competing for glamour.’ But I have to say, for this piece—where ‘playful’ takes center stage—there is absolutely zero bitter competition here.

Standing in front of this canvas, can’t you immediately feel an upward eruption of incredibly vivid life force? Look at how I used thick color blocks and a flexible palette knife to layer a massive field of emerald green at the bottom half. And on this very earth, countless splatters of orange-red, golden yellow, pure white, and deep crimson are growing wildly and without restraint.

Yes, these plants are comparing themselves to see who can look more radiant.

Now, when people hear the word ‘comparison’ nowadays, they usually frown. We feel it’s a high-pressure word, because in our modern society, comparison always comes hand-in-hand with anxiety and mental burnout. But through this painting, I want to show you an alternative truth: yes, life has comparisons sometimes, but I’m not talking about the kind driven by jealousy, judgment, or oppression.

Look at the flowers on the canvas. That bright orange-yellow blossom in the middle is stretching high up, while its red, yellow, and white companions all around are radiating their richest colors, too. None of them are trying to suppress the others, and nobody is judging anyone else’s color for not being ‘pure’ enough.

This is a creative, all-embracing kind of ‘positive comparison.’

This kind of comparison is like a group of like-minded friends sharpening each other’s talents, or a healthy, beautiful feast. It’s the feeling of: ‘Because I see you blooming so gorgeously, it ignites an unyielding passion inside me, so I’m going to use every ounce of my strength to bloom into the most dazzling color of my life, too!’ This ‘playfulness’ is about mutual inspiration. It’s a force that pulls everyone upward. Sadly, this pure, healthy, and mutually fulfilling ‘positive comparison’ has become quite rare in our world today. We are so used to growing sharp and defensive in competitions that we forget we could be just like this painting—simply applauding each other’s life force under a deep blue sky and gentle purple mountains.

‘Competing Beauty’ is my longing for an ideal state of life. They are comparing their beauty, but they aren’t fighting for the spotlight. They are testing each other, but they coexist and thrive together.

When you stare into this artwork, I hope you catch this pure energy of playful flaring. On our own stages of life, may we all find those partners who inspire us and grow right alongside us. Let’s drop our guards of jealousy and pressure. With an open heart and raw creativity, dare to bloom into your own most vibrant color, and let’s make this world a richer, more beautiful place together.”