The Deep Blue of Time

Wang Qifeng’s art grows out of his direct experiences with nature. Painting is his way of exploring the connection between the natural world and human activity—and, through this creative process, he finds himself coming closer to his own vision of what nature means. This exhibition brings together two recent series: Antarctic Ice and Polynesian Coral Atolls, both painted over the past three years. At the heart of the show is a powerful contrast between deep time and shallow time: the immense difference between geological ages and a single human life, and the opportunities for reflection that this vast gap creates.

Wang Qifeng’s paintings bridge the gap between natural landscapes and how we perceive them, blending emptiness and fullness, lines and colours, and subtle layers of tone. By distilling scenes from nature, he turns painting into a space where reason meets instinct. At the same time, his work asks deeper questions about how we view nature today: in a world filled with scientific imagery and social media images, and in the era of the Anthropocene, how can art help us see nature differently? And can personal spiritual practice offer a new way to respond to a natural world that has been so heavily impacted and consumed? These works reflect the artist’s evolving style and show that painting can still inspire and challenge us, far beyond just aesthetics.