The world of Zoon - Dreamscape (2008-present) is similar to a primal jungle. It dominates the painting surface, creating a no-way-out feeling. It seems that one is about to be submerged or overwhelmed. Huang, in describing his painting style in this series, alludes to his generous use of the flowing movement of water. He first “floods” his painting, then, as it gradually dries, he applies layers of color, again and again. By repeating this process many times, he is able to create overlapping color, giving layers of painterly depth to the ink painting. Huang Zhiyang says he first randomly “creates a space and then proceeds to break it”. This “random” act seems to imply a state of creation somewhere between “automatic” and “unintentional”.

In the compositions of Zoon - Dreamscape, Huang Zhiyang creates a sense of visual disorientation. Not only is one reluctant to enter the jungle, it is also impossible to penetrate. Precisely because of this, the Zoon - Dreamscape works appear as a series of walls blocking one’s view. One may feel that there are some spaces where entry is feasible, but these also give rise to trepidation and fear regarding the next step. The psychological sensation, brought on by Huang’s unique visual language, is akin to being lost in an impenetrable jungle, and the result of his juxtaposition of colors in each painting. Moreover, Huang Zhiyang’s choice of colors summons to mind thoughts of lichen or fungi. In Huang’s words, it seems that the very air is permeated with a “beautiful but pathological violence”.

—Wang Jiaji

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Image: © Huang Zhiyang, Courtesy of Pékin Fine Arts