XUE SONG (B. 1965)

The multitude of references and symbols in Xue Song's works enrich the various layers of open interpretation. The form creates the content, and becomes the content itself; likewise, the content supports the form and mold into the form. Charred Root (Lot 59) displays a richly complex background, collaged with images with singed edges. A burned tree root stands in the foreground, revealing remnants of Chinese landscape paintings and scribbles of Chinese characters in different calligraphic scripts through the burned marks to suggest the end of literati art in the face of cultural and economic reform in China.