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Duality of the Present: A Look at Wen Xin Ong’s When the Flowers Still Sting by Amir Amin

 

Wen Xin Ong

When the Flowers Still Sting 

Oil on canvas | 96 cm x 84 cm | 2023

As I wandered through IT’S OPEN by ARTO Movement, my eyes fell upon a captivating painting by Wen Xin Ong. The whole painting was awash in a mesmerizing pinkish-red hue, and it drew me in for a closer look. Titled “When the Flowers Still Sting,” the painting depicts Wen Xin herself holding a bouquet of pink roses. Many young female artists, I’ve noticed, use self-portraits to express their emotions, perhaps finding it a more intimate way to convey their message than relying on a model.  

In this painting, the pink roses held by Wen Xin are more than just flowers; they are powerful symbols. As the “queen of flowers,” the rose embodies love, beauty, sensuality, secrecy, mysticism, and even royalty. Moreover, roses are also associated with the symbol of grandeur, establishment, and the ephemeral nature of life. The roses’ presence in Wen Xin’s hand evokes the timeless symbolism of flowers representing both the transient beauty of the moment and the promise of growth and renewal.

When I see the portrait, I wonder what Wen Xin is looking at. Her gaze extends into the distance and reflects a deep sense of anticipation. Her expression suggests a yearning or a curiosity about what the future holds. This forward-looking perspective captures the essence of human experience – the inherent desire to seek out and embrace the unknown, to anticipate future opportunities and challenges. The way Wen Xin poses, and the direction of her gaze emphasize this sense of forward momentum as if she is looking forward to a new journey, ready to face whatever lies ahead with a blend of hope and resilience.

The roses she holds also serve as a poignant reminder of the importance of cherishing the present moment. Roses as I mentioned before, also represent the ephemeral nature of life, teaching us to always appreciate the fleeting beauty that graces our existence. The way Wen Xin’s hand grasped the roses signifies a deep appreciation for the beauty that exists in the here and now. This duality – the anticipation for both the future and the present – forms the core of Wen Xin’s narrative.

When reading this work, I wondered about Wenxin’s interaction with the rose and her contemplative gaze creates a powerful symbol of hope and presence. Wen Xin’s choice of imagery evokes a sense of mindfulness – the idea that while it is natural to look forward and anticipate what lies ahead, it is equally important to remain grounded in the present, to find happiness and joy in the beauty that surrounds us right now.

Her gaze, which extends beyond the immediate, suggests that she sees not just the potential that the future holds, but also the promise of growth and transformation. The rose, traditionally a symbol of beauty and love, in this context, becomes a metaphor for the present moment – a reminder that even amidst the uncertainties and challenges that the future may bring, there is always something beautiful and worth appreciating in the now.

Wenxin Ong's painting, "When the Flowers Still Sting," is like a quiet conversation about life. It talks about that feeling of being caught between two moments: wanting something new and exciting to happen, but also enjoying the good things we have right now. The artist uses simple things we can all understand, like a girl and a rose, to make us think about our own lives. She wants us to find a balance between looking forward to the future with excitement and being grateful for the things we have right now, in this very moment. This message might seem simple, but it's actually quite powerful. It reminds us to appreciate both the things we're waiting for and the things we already have. By taking a closer look at this painting, we can discover a deeper meaning. It's not just a pretty picture on the wall; it's a story about how we all experience time, hope, and what it means to be alive. It's a reminder to live our lives to the fullest, with both anticipation for the future and thankfulness for the present.

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