Oil on canvas

120 x 210 cm. 47 1/4 × 82 5/8 in.

Signed, titled in Chinese and dated on the reverse
EXHIBITED
16 – 19 Sep 2016, Platform China booth of Art Shenzhen, Convention and Exhibition Centre, Shenzhen

PROVENANCE
Platform China Contemporary Art Institute, Beijing
Acquired directly by present private Asian collector from the above

This work is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity issued by Platform China Contemporary Art Institute, Beijing

Heroism of a Painter
Ma Ke's Dionysus 2

In the panorama of contemporary Chinese art, Ma Ke has garnered attention for his quirky and introverted flat images, his exploration of the artistic language between abstraction and figuration, and his profound and obscure symbolic techniques. Through a highly convincing painting style, he explores and presents an aspect of reality and human nature that is often unknown to the world, a visual representation of intimate emotions. After graduating from the Oil Painting Department of the Central Academy of Fine Arts in 2005, Ma Ke's artistic journey was influenced by his earlier experience of being sent to Eritrea, Africa, by the Ministry of Culture from 1998 to 1999 for aid teaching. The artist referred to this experience as "pure sensibility and passion", which is why Ma Ke's creations retained the primitive and exaggerated lines reminiscent of African totem elements, as well as vibrant colours. Following his return to China, he held solo exhibitions in Beijing, Hong Kong, Los Angeles, Munich, and other places, capturing collectors' attention with his unique artistic language and spiritual core. This auction presents his representative work Dionysus 2, symbolizing the Western "god of pleasure", Dionysus, and dissecting the most direct and private spiritual realm of human life.

Intimate Glimpses of Life

In the centre of the canvas, a young woman is depicted in peachy tones, standing with her hands on her hips facing the viewer, wearing high heels and squatting as if relieving herself—an extremely private act deliberately made public. At first glance, this might appear sensational and outrageous, but it actually echoes the bold and unconventional nature of the god Dionysus in ancient Greek mythology. Ma Ke daringly challenges conventional perspectives, impacting the viewers' visual senses. This is precisely his unique charm, also hinting at and resonating with certain unspeakable social forms and public psyches.

Ultimate Joy of Life

The composition of Dionysus 2 is rich and textured. In terms of technique, the artist uses rich earthy tones, layer upon layer. With almost intuitive, rough and bold brushstrokes, he brings a certain spontaneous joy to the painting, bursting with vitality. The background, depicted with minimal strokes, portrays slender weeping willows, and falling blossoms on the branches, akin to traditional Chinese paintings, striking a delicate balance between exuberance and subtlety, creating a sense of timelessness.

Breaking the Chains of Allegory

In ancient Greek mythology, Dionysus symbolizes pleasure and freedom; it disregards all taboos and breaks free from constraints. Just as in Dionysus 2, although the woman wears high heels, she engages in an incredibly private act without a care in the world, even boldly accepting the suspicion and judgment of others. By breaking the shackles of reality, the artist infuses the work with a romantic heroic undertone through emotionally charged allegorical figures, making it unforgettable.

Price estimate:
HKD 400,000 – 600,000
USD 51,300 – 76,900

Auction Result:
HKD: 600,000