Need directions? Simplifying well-known cities into straight and curved lines, rectangles, circles, and crosses, these paintings by Lu Xinjian give new definition to maps. The abstract nature of the paintings was developed through a combination of Google Earth images and personal sketches. To those familiar with the cities depicted, the shapes and lines take on meaning and become recognizable despite their graphic appearance. Don’t be fooled by the flat pictorial qualities of the artwork. Upon further glance the simple patterns reveal the essence of a real place allowing the viewer a chance to understand the city in a new way, eliminating the decorative, flashy elements of architecture. Every gesture on the paintings alludes to the multidimensional characteristics of the city while finding a common balance to convey the growth of urbanization and the effects of globalization.
Courtesy of Lu Xinjian