| Gao Yi Lei’s vibrant palettes bring marine creatures back to life in his oil-on-canvas series The Times of Ke Long. |  |
Catherine Y. Hsieh
Gao Yi Lei’s vibrant palettes bring marine creatures back to life in his oil-on-canvas series The Times of Ke Long. A lobster in green and royal blue seems to be jumping off from the canvas surface against a backdrop of vast oceanic blue while in another piece a dark purple octopus wags its tentacles in remarkable energy with shades of crimson exploding in its center contrasted with an atmospheric background of power blue. Gao paints exquisite gold fish in another piece with carefree brushstrokes and unexpected hues. The little gold fish come in rainbow colors: fiery red, passionate orange, fleshy pink, with splashes of lime and sea foam blue. The movement of the tail as the fish swim across the canvas complements the fluidity of the painting as the graceful beings materialize vividly in the contrast between negative space and positive space. Seemingly a lover for nature, especially sea life, Gao manages to recreate the world under the sea in a tone that is serene and effervescent at the same time.
