Acrylic on canvas

70 × 90 cm. 27 1/2 × 35 3/8 in.

Signed in English and dated on bottom right; titled in English, signed in Chinese and pinyin and dated on the reverse

LITERATURE
2020, Jing Zhiyong, Jing Zhiyong, Beijing, p.153-154
EXHIBITED
11-29 Jul 2022, No Good Thing Ever Dies - Jing Zhiyong Exhibition, G Art Gallery, Hong Kong

PROVENANCE
Acquired directly by present important private Asian collector from the artist

No Good Thing Ever Dies
Jing Zhiyong's Destination Unknown

“Though this world is bad, at least, we still love it in our heart. Said as lines in The Shawshank Redemption: Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things. No good thing ever dies.”

――Jing Zhiyong

As a post-80s artist, after graduating from the Oil Painting Department of Tianjin Academy of Fine Arts, Jing Zhiyong made his debut with a cartoon-like graffiti style in his early years, and found his own painting style after a few years of sedimentation and reflection. The quiet colour palette, minimalist composition and cinematic mood create an unparalleled emotional tension, eschewing popular styles such as flamboyant colour and cartoon imagery for a contemporary story with a serious, dark humour that evokes the silent beauty just like American artist Edward Hopper's paintings. His works have resonated with collectors. This time we are glade to present his rare and large masterpiece, Destination Unknown.

The Multi-Faceted Human Nature, the Core Values of Love and Hope

Just as there are a thousand Hamlets in a thousand people's eyes, Jing Zhiyong's creations also give people a new experience from time to time. As an artist, he does not make official interpretations of his works, leaving the viewers with infinite scope for imagination, and Destination Unknown is one such work. Under a clear blue sky, a huge white boat sails across the waves, stirring up snow-white waves. Some of the people in the painting are looking out to sea in contemplation, some are chatting, some are hard at work, and some are armed and on guard. The painting is a representation of life in all its forms, or a projection of the spirit of the same person in different situations in life. It is like a window into a dream world, triggering the same kind of conversation as Paul Gauguin's masterpiece, Where Do We Come From? What are We? Where are We Going?

Inaugurated in 1931, the statue of Christ the Redeemer is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. It is not only a landmark of Rio and Brazil, but also a symbol of “equality and fraternity” in popular culture. In recognition of the significance of this sculpture, Jing Zhiyong has painted a number of works based on it, and this is the largest and most detailed of his Christ statue series. The Christ is shown with his hand slightly raised in a gesture of “giving” and “tolerance”. He stands with his back to the prow of the ship, witnessing the progress of mankind. The white ship carrying the statue moves without sails, even when the way ahead is unknown. It is a testament to the journey of people through the challenges of the recent epidemic: Even though the journey has always been a bit confusing and stormy, hope and love have always been with us. Perhaps there is a pure white ship in everyone's heart, carrying the hopes and goodwill for all around, giving life the courage to face the future.

Price estimate:
HKD: 30,000 - 50,000
USD: 3,800 - 6,400

Auction Result:
HKD: 93,600