Zhao Yongchang
China
The story of the rhinoceros
About the work
An accidental trip to a safari park brought me back to focus on these creatures in real life. One of the most impressive is an African rhino, which lay motionless on the ground not far from me, and its sturdy and unique shape deeply attracted my attention. The birth of this animal sculpture went through a slow, iterative process of revision and adjustment. During this period, my ideas and means of expression were constantly changing, and the sculptural language began to turn to traditional linear shapes, trying to pursue an oriental style of freehand interest. When it was finally implemented into a figurative rhino image, he was very different from what I saw and wanted to do at first. Perhaps this kind of experimentation and uncertainty is the greatest joy for a budding creator.
The state of mind at that time caused me to separate the animal image in my hand from real life. I tried to talk to him with admiration, and imagined him as a lonely hero who took a temporary break.
Everyone has a unicorn in their hearts. His gigantic horn is a sign of strength and merit, he is powerful and invincible, and at the same time he is a mortal. He is going to challenge those secular forces, old and new, those who are irrational and conformist. The most powerful force is not used to attack, but an implicit explosive force, a kind of innate dignity and strength.