The Dream Kite

This work was inspired by the 2023 Weifang International Kite Festival in Shandong. During the summer, I visited local artisans who craft kites using traditional bamboo techniques and attended the festival. The event showcased a diverse array of kites in various forms, including starfish, giant octopuses, and even disembodied heads. In this painting, I sought to amplify my experience by combining oil painting with 3D string bindings, transforming the kites soaring in the sky into creatures that often drift in water. Through this approach, I aimed to blur the boundaries between sky and sea, capturing the surreal and fluid nature of the festival’s imagery.