Ethereal Beauty and Auspicious Snow, 280x120cm, diptych, 2003
In the winter of 2003, I created a series of “fake flowers” series. The main flower I chose is the peony, popular symbol in China of national brilliance and prosperity, and therefore our national flower. I made the petals of my “peonies” out of fresh vegetables, and raw slices of mutton and beef. I shot one set when they were all nice and fresh. I later reshot the same “flowers” after putting the peonies in a deep freezer for a week. This work records a literal depiction of the transition from prosperity to decay, along with my hope of freezing such materialistic decadence made from fleshy desires.