Follower of Light — Cen Long

"I detest murky darkness; I only paint a world filled with powerful and hopeful light. Through my art, I immerse myself in the world of light, enjoying the joy it brings and conveying this world of light to a wide audience. May light be with us." — Cen Long

Many years ago, during a trip to the mainland, I had the privilege of meeting the remarkably low-key, humble, and reclusive artist, Cen Long. Several qualities about him have always earned my admiration. When I first learned that he was a painter, he modestly referred to himself as just a painter and not an artist. Despite holding a position as a professor at an art academy, he decided to resign from this enviable job at the age of over forty to pursue a more freely creative space, leading to a life filled with various instabilities and financial challenges. However, he told me that as long as he could keep painting, he would be content; this was the life he desired. I remember one Chinese New Year when I wished him success, and he nonchalantly responded, "I don't care about success or failure; I just hope always to be true to art!" Over the years, he has remained unchanged, unwilling to paint for commercial purposes. His paintings lack any decorative elements, and he still engages in a process where completed paintings may be destroyed and restarted numerous times. He lives a tiring and challenging life, but he tells me that if he can keep painting until the end, even dying in front of the canvas, that would be his greatest happiness.

Why do I call him a follower of light? It's because his paintings are filled with a divine radiance for me. I am often deeply moved and inspired to become a person who contributes positively to the world. His current exhibition in the Venice Church features the work "Sea Women's Festival," where the foremost sea woman holds a torch, illuminating the path ashore. This symbolizes a resolute belief, guiding people towards their goals and embodying the spirit of tenacious struggle for survival. This painting is a revelation of light in Cen Long's art. Such works are frequent because his painting themes always aim to convey courage and hope. Through the structure and dynamics of characters' depictions and labor, he portrays the courage and resilience of survival. The fire simultaneously symbolizes the firm faith in the heart, representing the light he wants to convey!

In "Blacksmith Shop," a middle-aged blacksmith works on forging iron with a young child. The skilled blacksmith carefully hammers a red-hot piece of iron, while the child, acting as an assistant, struggles to swing a large hammer but remains earnest and hardworking. Their cooperation is seamless, and the sounds of the hammer striking seem to resonate in the painting. The once hard iron, softened by the forge, is then molded with the power of the hammer, becoming a usable material under the reflection of the forge's fire. This is a typical creative process, the crystallization of fire and strength, symbolizing the act of creation by the Creator.

Light is omnipresent, and the creator of all things is benevolent. Looking up at the starry sky, the shining stars favor the diligent shepherdess, illuminating her path home in the dark night. Technically, Cen Long blurs the facial expressions of the woman in this painting. The faint starlight illuminates the girl's face, and the hand-wiped skin effect creates a sense of existence that seems to transcend reality, blending the two-dimensional and three-dimensional worlds.

In "Rain," Cen Long depicts nature before a thunderstorm, with a fresh scent filling the air. The approaching rain prompts farmwomen to rush home, holding up their garments or capes, running in anticipation of the impending drops. Their robust bodies are bathed in the white light of nature, and one can almost sense the urgent cries and the splashing sounds of their bare feet on the waterlogged ground. These sounds compose a lyrical concerto. The women show no complaints or grievances; instead, there is only the release of strength. At this moment, they become a part of the free forms being released in nature. In the face of the gifts from above, people are grateful and in awe. This is the power of light! The brightest parts of the composition are the characters, highlighted by various shades of gray. The skin emits a dazzling glow, allowing the audience to easily feel the impact of light.

Next, let's look at "Lost Lamb." An ignorant little lamb bleats, and a loving shepherdess struggles, supporting a lamb with a stick, crossing a wilderness full of thorns on the way home. The interaction between humans and animals creates a harmonious atmosphere, and we can feel them illuminated by the light from above. This light seems to be a sacred beam, shining on the woman, the lamb, and their journey home. It arrives just in time, and it is warm and intimate, offering protection and comfort to the lost lamb. The author conveys a message that as long as one holds firm to their beliefs, the Creator is everywhere, offering help and hope.

I believe Cen Long is walking a simple but extraordinary path in painting. Everything he does is to make his paintings emit a mysterious glow, achieved through skillful black, white, and gray compositions, and various textural treatments. He dreams of expressing in his paintings the divine light bestowed by heaven. This brings to mind the quote by Romain Rolland: "I cannot bear to see the light buried." Cen Long seems to be creating art to guard the light bestowed by heaven upon humanity. In the rapid progress of modern society, which can change dramatically within a day, people are prone to overlook the existence of the soul and spirit. Cen Long's paintings bring a world of strength and hope, infecting the audience like the Southern Cross, providing direction and courage!

Source｜Artemperor / Author｜Metra Lin

Artemperor