Artwork Description

Title:Sea of Hope
Artist: Tiegen Ma
Date: 2013
Medium: Oil on canvas
Dimensions: 19.7 x 23.6 in (50 x 60 cm)

Artwork Identification
Sea of Hope by Tiegen Ma is a captivating oil painting measuring 50 by 60 centimeters, depicting a coastal landscape interwoven with elements of brutalist architecture. The composition presents a stark, angular structure juxtaposed against the natural seascape, creating a powerful visual dialogue between human-made forms and the organic environment. Ma’s precise brushwork and atmospheric rendering imbue the scene with both melancholy and resilience.

Artistic Style and Influences
This work exemplifies Ma’s signature landscape style, marked by a fusion of brutalist architectural motifs with natural coastal imagery. The austere geometric shapes reflect the influence of mid-20th-century brutalism, while the moody palette and compositional tension recall elements of Romanticism’s fascination with sublime nature. Ma’s aesthetic balances modernist architectural rigor with expressive, often melancholic atmospheres found in contemporary landscape painting.

Historical Context
Created in 2013, Sea of Hope resonates within a contemporary context of environmental reflection and urban development. The integration of brutalist architecture—a style often associated with post-war ideals and urban renewal—within a coastal setting invites consideration of humanity’s imprint on nature and the fragility of such coexistence. Ma’s work engages with ongoing discourses surrounding modernization, ecological change, and cultural identity in rapidly evolving urban landscapes.

Provenance and Authenticity
For comprehensive provenance details and authenticity certificates, please contact the gallery directly.

Condition and Conservation
The painting is preserved in excellent condition with no visible surface damage or restoration. The oil pigments maintain their original depth and vibrancy, and the canvas shows no signs of distortion. Periodic conservation evaluations are advisable to ensure continued preservation.

Artistic Significance
Sea of Hope stands as a notable example of Tiegen Ma’s exploration of architectural forms within natural settings, reflecting critical themes of modernity and environment. The work contributes meaningfully to contemporary landscape discourse, bridging architectural history and ecological awareness. It is a significant acquisition for collectors and institutions interested in nuanced, conceptually rich representations of place.