No. 033
Wu Huaheng
April rafting- mythical creatures No.17
45x48cm
Ink on paper
2020
SOLD
April Rafting
Following a severe injury in late 2019, the artist endured months of fear, anxiety, and physical pain. When his body suddenly recovered in April 2020, it brought an unprecedented sense of relaxation and euphoria. During this period, the artist returned to his studio and began to create in a way entirely different from before—without any preconceived notions or continuity of style. He simply followed his intuition as images flashed across his mind: lines were unstudied, colors were spontaneous, and forms were limitless. Figurative, abstract, absurd, and bizarre elements merged freely, giving rise to vibrant palettes and motifs like monks and mythical beasts.
This creative surge lasted for a month and ceased only when his paints and paper were exhausted; a state of mind that has proven impossible to replicate since. The artist views these works as a departure from his previous somber, line-heavy explorations, connecting instead to his colorful and uninhibited childhood memories of the countryside. As friends observed, this series likely stemmed from the immense relief following a period of deep fear. April Rafting stands as a testament to how an artist’s internal state profoundly dictates the essence of their work, born naturally from a state of pure, untethered joy.
The work depicts a horse making a "funny face" out of sheer joy. The artist points to an emotional overflow common to both animals and humans: when pleasure reaches a certain intensity, physical gestures and facial expressions naturally and unconsciously become uninhibited.
About the Artist
Wu Huaheng
（China，b.1988）
BFA in Fine Arts, College of Fine Arts, Hunan Normal University. Based in Beijing. Working primarily in ink, Wu Huaheng explores how traditional Chinese ink can be transformed within a contemporary context. He states, “Because I fear death, and of course I also fear darkness, I wanted to explore and engage in a possible dialogue with black.” Ink thus becomes his most direct medium for experimentation—its physical properties, technical expressions, and cultural implications all serve as tools in his exploration. Through his creative process, he examines his fears within the context of black, initiating a dialogue and reflecting on the world around him. His works have been exhibited at Yancheng Art Museum and V-Art Museum.