Swimming 《游泳》
His "Swimming" series is a mature reflection on his personal state-of-mind. In his earlier works, his self-portraits always have gleeful smiles as they explore the brutal truths of modern life, and our human nature, often dealing with the macabre, the absurd and the scandalous. His self-portraits in the "Swimming" series are much more contemplative and serious, as they seem to consider the great questions of life, who are we? and why are we here?
The ocean is a symbol of freedom, cleansing and escape from worldly troubles. In "Swimming", the figure is immersed in the serene, blue sea. His face is under the water, as he seems lost in thought and contemplation. Covered in the names of famous philosophers both Eastern and Western, the painting seems to emphasize the deep introspection of the figure as he meditates on the meaning of life.