Atomic Era (2016)

The title of the painting gives the audience some hints regarding interpretation immediately. The author makes a reference to the aftermath of the Second World War and the chain reactions taking place after the Hiroshima bombing as well as the whole new development of thinking about nuclear weapons. The dynamic, rush brush strokes of bright-yellow, orange, and brown create the backdrop scene of fire and danger, where their circularity creates the sense of motion and dynamism. The central stage is occupied by an abstract figure, in which one can recognize a falling airplane, with one of its wings on fire, and its red hued corpus standing for the fatal consequences: death, destruction, and imminent collapse.

At the same time, the figure of the plane is reminiscent of a bird in its right wing, thus appealing to the image of wildlife dying because of the carelessness of people and their determination on technological advancement. If one takes a closer look at the very bottom of the canvas, we can see a red covered ground, again implying bloody scenes occurring on earth due to the destructive activities of atomic energy. In a broader sense, however, the painting is not about atomic energy only. It is about technological progress at large as the author invites the audience to reflect on the cost of their daily comfort brought about by advancement and bearing effects on nature and life.

Society, existence, and progress. It brings us the good and the bad. Gives us electricity but creates nuclear weapon… Human era mutation into a new - Atomic Era.