Zeche – 2
| Edition | Original Art |
|---|---|
| Sujet | Other |
| Technique | Painting |
| Height | 60 cm |
| Width | 50 cm |
| Length/Depth | 2 cm |
One-off piece, exclusive original.
Material: acrylic, real wool on canvas
Description:
This work was created following a visit to the Ruhr region and forms part of a series exploring industrial history and personal impressions. The background is rendered in dark, almost sooty tones – a reference to the coal that has shaped this place. Red and orange accents evoke fire, heat and energy – the power of mining.
The lines are not merely painted, but consist of real woollen threads, some of which are coated in black paint – symbolic of a miner’s face blackened by coal dust. This textile intervention creates a strong tactile contrast to the painting whilst emphasising the materiality of the subject.
The composition resembles a net or a grid – it evokes associations with mine shafts, winding towers or safety barriers. At the same time, it remains open to interpretation: are these traces, scars, or structures of memory?
Concept & Features:
✔ Part of a series of works on the Ruhr region – inspired by real places and experiences
✔ Use of genuine woollen threads – deliberately dyed to reinforce the symbolism
✔ Expressive colour contrasts – glowing surfaces meet dark depths
✔ Tactility as a vehicle for meaning – the material speaks for itself
✔ A combination of abstract painting and object art
Guoqiang Wu
Education:,
2016–2017 Academy of Arts (ASK) Berlin, Course: Fine Art – Painting,
2017–2021 Essen University of Fine Arts under Prof. Nicola Stäglich, Course:
Painting
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Printmaking Artist’s Statement :
My art springs from my innermost consciousness. Through my works, I wish to express my most primal thoughts and thereby make visible my existence as a thinking being in this world.
Over time, experiences, encounters and emotions accumulate, causing my works to reflect various moods. Yet despite all these changes, my fundamental way of thinking remains unchanged. During my early years at university, my works were often chaotic – to some, this may have appeared to be an unstructured or immature technique. Yet for me, it was a natural process of growth, an honest portrayal of life. Over time, my works became more minimalist, clearer and more three-dimensional. I did not consciously steer this development – it simply manifested itself in my art. This style continues to characterise my work to this day: clear geometry, strong colour contrasts and deliberate reduction. Large monochrome areas combined with fine lines or multiple blocks of colour create a sharp, almost cutting effect. This clarity and directness reflect my mindset at the time – no compromises, no detours.
Today, I yearn for purity, clarity and directness.
A defining theme in my art is my childhood. I grew up in a Chinese village whilst my parents worked in the city to make ends meet. My grandparents brought me up. The longing for my parents made me emotionally sensitive – I dreamt of seeing them again. This profound emotional experience has found its way into my works, for it is part of my most personal perception of reality.
Later, I worked in a warehouse in Germany for seven years – a long time during which I did not pick up a paintbrush. This phase was formative and difficult for me, yet it is part of my life. In early 2025, I consciously brought this chapter of my life to a close by handing in my notice. Perhaps this experience, too, will one day become a new artistic theme.
Whatever the theme, technique or material – I remain true to my original ideas. My art is not staged, but an honest reflection of the world from the perspective of an ordinary person.
Exhibitions:,
2019.
“Vor Ort” – Students and lecturers from the HBK Essen, Maschinenhalle in Dorsten,
2020.
9. Revierkunst, Zeche Ewald Herten.
HBK Essen 2020 School Scholarship Nomination
Other artworks by the artist
