wang ruilin unites man and myth for surreal animal sculpture series

wang ruilin unites man and myth for surreal animal sculpture series
all photos by zou shengwu / courtesy of wang ruilin

chinese artist wang ruilin unites themes of humanity and the natural world with mythology and surrealism for his ongoing ‘dream’ series. ‘I seek harmony with nature’, ruilin describes of his work. ‘nature’s greatness lies in her inclusion of everything on earth, while man’s greatness lies in his perception of his own smallness. to find conformity to nature is my life attitude’.

animals such as whales and deer are intersected with cloud and water motifs, bridging the two together into a large-scale sculptural series. ruilin considers the work to be ‘the denial of our current world and a depiction of an ideal one. I oppose the self-centeredness of human beings and the ruthless exploitation of other species and natural resources. I seek harmony with the nature. nature’s greatness lies in her inclusion of everything on earth, while man’s greatness lies in his perception of his own smallness. to find conformity to nature is my life attitude.’

small clouds hover on the animal’s antlers 

dreams-floating no.1, 2013
100×35×65 cm
copper & painting

dreams-floating no.2

detail 

a sculptural whale is infilled with a rocky landscape along his back

dreams – ark no.3, 2012
200×30×40 cm
copper & painting