When I was Young, 2010

Artist: Xu Yexiu 徐也秀

Title:  When I was Young |  那時我還年輕 

Materials: Oil on canvas

Size: 100 x 100 cm | 39 x 39 inch (Mounted Frameless) 

Rarity: Unique

Medium: Painting

Signature: Hand-signed by artist

Condition: Excellent

Frame: No

 

This oil-on-canvas painting, titled "When I Was Young" by Xu Yexiu, is a remarkable piece of art that blends nostalgia, nature, and the passage of time into a poignant visual narrative. The artist employs a mix of realism and subtle impressionistic touches to create a scene that speaks to decay, memory, and resilience.

Subject and Composition
At the heart of the painting is a striking black-and-white spotted dog standing atop the rusted remains of a vintage car, framed by a forested backdrop. The dog exudes a sense of strength, curiosity, and loyalty—a living, vibrant figure dominating the weathered, inanimate car beneath it. This juxtaposition between life and decay creates a powerful contrast, emphasizing the theme of time passing and the resilience of life in the face of inevitable decline.

The car itself is beautifully rendered, with intricate details that highlight its age and abandonment—flaked paint, rusted metal, and missing parts. It lies partially covered by fallen leaves, blending into the earthy tones of the forest floor, as if nature is slowly reclaiming it. The forest in the background, rich with browns, greens, and yellows, provides a soft, almost dreamlike setting. The interplay of light filtering through the trees and the dappled shadows on the ground adds depth and dimension to the composition.

Use of Color
The artist's use of a muted, earthy palette evokes a sense of warmth and nostalgia, while the contrast of the dog’s striking black-and-white coat against the subdued tones of the background draws the viewer’s attention immediately to the animal. The rusty reds and oranges of the car harmonize with the golden hues of the autumn leaves, while the green undertones in the forest suggest quiet renewal amidst decay.

The light in the painting is particularly notable, as it streams gently through the trees, illuminating parts of the dog, the car, and the surrounding foliage. This soft light imbues the scene with a sense of tranquility and timelessness, as if capturing a fleeting moment in a memory.

Symbolism
The title, "When I Was Young", invites a deeper interpretation of the elements in the painting. The old, rusted car stands as a metaphor for the passage of time—what was once vibrant, useful, and full of life has now been left behind, overtaken by nature. This echoes themes of nostalgia and the inevitability of aging. The dog, however, serves as a counterpoint to this decay, symbolizing vitality, loyalty, and continuity. Perhaps the dog is a stand-in for the artist or the viewer, standing atop the remnants of the past, reflecting on what once was while remaining firmly planted in the present.

The forest, with its cycle of seasons, further reinforces the idea of time’s passage and nature’s reclamation. The fallen leaves suggest autumn, a season often associated with reflection, change, and the beauty of endings.

Technique
The artist demonstrates great skill in creating texture and depth. The rust on the car, the fur of the dog, and the layers of leaves scattered across the ground are rendered with meticulous attention to detail, yet there’s also a looseness in the brushstrokes that adds a painterly quality to the piece. This balance between detail and abstraction gives the painting a dynamic energy while preserving its dreamlike quality.

The composition is thoughtfully structured, with the dog serving as the focal point. Its placement draws the viewer’s eye upward, while the diagonal lines of the car and the soft verticals of the trees guide the gaze through the rest of the painting. The interplay of light and shadow adds further sophistication, creating a sense of depth and atmosphere.

Emotional Impact
“When I Was Young” resonates deeply on an emotional level. It invites the viewer to reflect on their own past, the things they’ve left behind, and the enduring beauty of memories. The painting strikes a delicate balance between melancholy and hope—while the car is a relic of a bygone era, the presence of the dog and the gentle light filtering through the trees suggest that life continues, adapting and thriving amidst the inevitable changes of time.

Conclusion
This painting is a masterful exploration of memory, resilience, and the passage of time. Through its evocative imagery, harmonious use of color, and skillful technique, “When I Was Young” captures the beauty of life’s transience and the enduring connection between nature, humanity, and the past. It’s a piece that invites quiet contemplation and rewards the viewer with layers of meaning and emotional depth.