Under the Horizon (地平线下) features 7 ink and mineral colour on silk pieces by Lao Tongli (劳同丽), painted in 2015 and 2016. The paintings depict delicate silhouettes and forms of lean swaying trees in an allover composition that are skilfully rendered in vibrant colours and in the style of traditional Chinese ink painting. The artist sees the similarities between the formations of trees with the growth of blood vessels, connecting the organic processes in our bodies to the living natural world outside. He states that the relationship between them and their symbolic meaning elucidates on the presence of life as well as his hope and aspirations towards the endless cycle of existence. He views the fusion of the intricate tendrils of the vegetation and blood vessels as creating a ‘field of life’, an optimistic view of how life constantly struggles, grows and develops while also referring to the current world view and the imbalanced relationship between the natural world and humanity.
