Former vocalist of Chinese rock band Tang Dynasty hosts an exhibition of around 50 paintings inspired by his own musical creations
Ding Wu is sitting in the middle of his own exhibition at the headquarters of Modern Sky, the biggest independent music label in China, surrounded by about 50 paintings that he created over the past few years.
Among the paintings are seven works finished in the past year that were inspired by seven songs he wrote, produced and performed.
The combination of these paintings and songs now represent his first project, titled One Moment, as a solo artist with Modern Sky.
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Ding Wu says his new project was inspired by fatherhood. He has a 7-year-old daughter. |
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Ding’s paintings, some inspired by songs he wrote, are part of his first solo project One Moment. Photos Provided to China Daily |
Each of the seven songs shares its title with a painting, including Two-Sidedness, April and Lottery Ticket.
“It’s all a little overwhelming,” Ding says. “I didn’t know if the paintings and the songs were ready to be released. When they are actually here and open to the audience, I feel nervous and excited. It’s a professional and personal milestone for me.”
One of the most famous rock musicians in the country, the 55-year-old first rose to fame as the vocalist of Chinese rock band Tang Dynasty in 1988. He co-founded the band with Chinese-American musician Kaiser Kuo and bassist Zhang Ju, who was killed in a motorcycle accident in 1995.
In 1991, the band released its first album, A Dream Return to Tang Dynasty, to critical acclaim, selling around 2 million copies in China and catapulting Ding to stardom. Its second album, Epic, which was released in 1998, and the third, Knight of Romance, released 10 years later, cemented its place in the history of Chinese rock.
One Moment is Ding’s first solo album in more than 30 years and it chronicles his journey as an artist.
“Life is all about choices. When I look back, I see my life as a process of making choices. Sometimes I make a choice and that’s the one moment that changed my life,” he says as he picks out the title song from the new album.
The song opens with intense guitar riffs, symbolizing the moments that are most important in his life.
Ding also composed an instrumental piece, titled Seven Shadows, for his new album. He played the song as part of his opening act during a live performance held at Modern Sky on Dec 5.
“We are influenced by many people, our families, friends and colleagues. They are like shadows existing in our lives. But putting those influences aside, you should be who you really are,” Ding says to the audience after playing the piece.
Ding’s love of painting preceded his passion for rock music. Born in Beijing, he started painting when he was 9 years old and has been doing it ever since. He graduated from the department of fine arts at Beijing Arts and Crafts School in 1983.
Ding is a longtime friend of Shen Lihui, the founder of Modern Sky who also used to attend Beijing Arts and Crafts School. Ding says that the idea behind his latest project was born when Shen invited him to join the music label a few years ago.
“The process of painting gave me time to think and reflect. Paintings are for the eyes while music is for the ears. They perfectly complement one another,” he says.
According to You Yang, curator of Ding’s exhibition, the musician has used oil, acrylic and mortar powder to portray different emotions. Also, instead of realistic painting, which he was trained in, all seven works are abstract.
Ding says the new project is spurred by his experience of being a father. His daughter is now 7 years old.
“In the past, I stayed up all night playing guitar, painting or hanging out with friends. But after I became a father, my life has become quite routine and healthy. I go to bed early and get up every morning to take my daughter to school,” Ding says, adding that he has quit drinking and smoking.
“She also loves painting. We paint together, and she always inspires me. I feel happy that I can record my life with the two great art forms, painting and music. I express my feelings through my brush and guitar.”
(China Daily European Weekly 12/21/2018 page19)