Julia

2024

Well

POST WINGS

The painting "Rolling in Wealth (Alishan No. 31 Steam Locomotive)" by Hsu Yu-shih uses delicate brush strokes to place this historically rich steam locomotive in the lush greenery of Alishan, creating an atmosphere that blends nostalgia with dynamism. The artwork primarily features dark tones, with the layers of green in the forest contrasting vividly against the ethereal white steam, which accentuates the locomotive's black metallic texture. The artist employs light and shadow techniques to achieve a subtle balance between the flow of the steam and the metallic quality of the engine, allowing the piece to embody both a profound historical sense and a latent energy.

From a compositional perspective, the painting adopts a diagonal perspective, guiding the viewer's gaze along the railway tracks into the distance, evoking the dynamic sensation of the train moving into the depths of the forest. This approach inevitably brings to mind Impressionist master Monet's "The Saint-Lazare Station," which similarly uses smoke and light to depict the intersection of industrial and natural elements. Furthermore, within the context of Eastern aesthetics, the artist's representation of smoke carries a certain fluidity reminiscent of ink wash painting, achieving a clever balance between realism and artistic conception.

The title "Rising Prosperity, Rolling in Wealth" not only hints at the prosperity symbolized by the locomotive's swift movement but also imbues the century-old No. 31 steam locomotive with a sense of contemporary spirit. This painting not only pays homage to Alishan's century-long railway culture but also serves as a visual interpretation of dynamic history and symbols of prosperity.

None