Original artwork description:

In Xu Bin's painting "Dunhuang - Dream of Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Lake II," the viewer is transported to the vast desert of Dunhuang, where the Mingsha Mountain glows like gold under the blazing sun. The distant Crescent Lake shimmers in the distance, its crystal-clear waters a refreshing contrast to the arid landscape.

Amidst the desert, a small oasis with lush trees and two ancient pavilions provides respite for the weary traveler. Here, the artist has included two paper-like objects on the edge of the oasis, serving as records of history. One of them stands on the yellow sand like a tombstone, while the other has fallen and is being slowly buried by the sands of time. These objects serve as a reminder of the rich history of this place, which is in danger of being lost if not preserved and remembered.

Adjacent to the oasis is a sculptural triangular prism. The prism is a tangible representation of the past, reminding us that history is not just a distant memory, but a real existence that can be touched and experienced in the present.

In the foreground, the artist himself appears, tired and weathered from his journey. With his eyes fixed on the distant Crescent Lake, he walks towards it, stepping not only into history, but into his own past as well. The painter explores self-cognition in this work, using the history to reflect on his own personal journey and to seek a deeper understanding of himself.

Materials used:

oil paints

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