Created By
Mediha Ting
Acrylic on Canvas
Curator
Luke Chapman
In this work, Mediha Ting continues her artistic dialogue with Giuseppe Castiglione (Lang Shining, 郎世寧), the Italian Jesuit missionary and court painter of the Qing Dynasty. The choice of magnolia is particularly significant as it represents a plant deeply revered in Chinese culture while also being familiar to European botanical traditions. The composition demonstrates the careful observation of natural forms that characterized Castiglione's work at the imperial court, while employing contemporary materials and techniques. The ascending arrangement of the branches reflects traditional Chinese principles of movement and space, while the precise botanical rendering shows European naturalistic influence. Through this work, Ting creates a sophisticated bridge between historical botanical painting traditions and contemporary artistic expression, honoring both the Eastern and Western artistic traditions that Castiglione himself navigated.
Dialogue through time with Giuseppe Castiglione (與朗世寧超時空對畫) 'Magnolia Elegant' (玉蘭花 優雅) is an acrylic painting on canvas featuring delicate golden linework against a deep black background. The composition captures magnolia branches with blooms in various stages - from fully opened flowers to developing buds - rendered with precise botanical detail. The negative space technique allows the golden elements to emerge from the dark ground, highlighting the characteristic cup-shaped flowers and broad leaves of the magnolia. The visible canvas texture creates subtle interactions with the metallic pigments, adding depth and dimensionality to the work.
Created By
Mediha Ting
50 x 26 cm | 20 x 10 in
2022
