Oil on canvas

100 × 100 cm. 39 3/8 × 39 3/8 in.

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

Marvelous of an Altar Ego
The Classic Chef Series by Qin Qi

Known for his hyper-realistic paintings of fragmented social and historical narratives, Chinese Contemporary artist Qin Qi presents a window between reality and the imaginative. Qin graduated from Xi'an Academy of Fine Arts in 1994, followed by a postgraduate study in Oil Painting at Luxun Academy of Fine Arts. Upon his graduation in 2002, Qin remained as a teacher at the University, and proceeded with Art History classes, ranging from Neoclassical Romanticism, historical folkloric painting, Cubism and Symbolism focus. In 2010, Minsheng Art Museum, Shanghai organized a major solo exhibition for Qin, titled Chairs Can Save Lives. This inaugural exhibition shaped Qin to become a leading figure in a Chinese New Painting. With still life to human portraits, his prolific works developed rapidly. In particular, Xiao Lin, an important work of Qin completed in 2012 establishes his character, spirituality and freedom as an artist.

When Historical Heavenly Fruit Dears Dreamscape Sweet Cherry

In Qin's oeuvre, the Chef series started with the completion of Xiao Lin in 2012. The work on canvas introduces an intimate relationship between the chef and the food. In the top centre, the phrase "cherry" is written in Chinese in small lettering. With limited explanation, viewers are invited to engage their own interpretation. Under the context of chef and food, "cherry"serves as a movie-narration, a passing thought from the two chefs by the table.

In the absence of cherries in Xiao Lin, the popular fruit is actually apparent in many classical painting subjects. For instance, Renaissance master Titian depicts cherry as "fruit of the heaven". Across Eastern and Western languages, cherries also represent "maidenhood", "sweetness", "brightness", "vibrant love" and other symbols.

Qin Qi inserts artistic idioms and symbolism in many of his works. In Xiao Lin, the imagery of the chefs are closely linked to Xiao Lin's thoughtful gaze, as the character's cheeks rest comfortably on her head. In a silent moment, a passing thought appears — at a young age of twenties, love, affection, and anticipation runs through her head. Just like the sweetness of cherries, each remembrance and response of love is instilled into every dish. While Xiao Lin's thoughts are imaginative, ambiguous, and interpretive, each symbolic element opens a dialogue for the imagination and meaning between the food groups and free memory.

I am a Performer on My Own Stage

The two chefs are nearly identical in Qin's narrative. Gazing in the same direction, they both sit by the edge of the table, holding their cheeks in their palms. This static scenery can be compared to a futuristic dimension, allowing viewers the freedom to play multiple possibilities through one picture. Compared to a solo work by Qin, also titled Xiao Lin, the latter can be perceived as an extension of the past, a developed thought of the artist. Upon reading Qin's oeuvre, it is likely that both chefs are of the same character Xiao Lin. Figure on the left wears a yellow scarf, while the right wears a red scarf. The minor difference in attire has strong reference with Andy Warhol's pop portrait iconography. With close examination, figure in yellow on the left hides her left hand behind the bend of her right arm, while the cook in red, in contrast, generously rests her left hand on the tabletop, making a gesture, with the high neckline of her sweater spreading out and a sliver of red peeking out from the cuffs of her sleeves, just like cherries, showing a bright and beautiful gesture. The chef in yellow has a look of anticipation and longing, while the woman in red, shrouded in light, is bright and resolute, as if she is not disturbed by anything, each corresponding to the cherries metaphors of "love" and "brightness". With the convergence of colour, character, posture and the metaphor of cherries, the appearance and demeanour of the two protagonists are juxtaposed from each other.

From a duality of characters, Qin explores the notion and existence of self and true self, to which differs from the standard and universal written form of "I" and "self". In a surrealistic and symbolic narrative, each painting of Qin's narrates a dramatic and extraordinary story. As a painter, Qin encourages us to view everyday life in multiple perspectives, revealing a kaleidoscope of experiences.

Price estimate:
HKD 170,000 – 250,000
USD 21,800 – 32,100