Lot 558: In the mountain of Europe

Li Dafang (b. 1971)
In the mountain of Europe
oil on canvas, in three parts
each: 117¾ x 63 1/8in. (297.2 x 160.3cm.)
overall: 117¾ x 125½in. (297.2 x 318.9cm.)
Painted in 2003

Private Collection, Brescia.
Acquired from the above by the present owner.

Li Dafang has been creating scenes of jarred narrative since the 1990's. In the Mountain of Europe presents the viewer with a jungle scene in which two men surround a fire. This is an almost primal scene of man's existence before civilisation. The title suggests this scene takes place in Europe, reversing the concept of Orientalism, Dafang has created a West of the noble savage. This visual allocation of misplaced elements and tendency towards the unexpected typifies the artist's work.