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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