World Family in Peace

#89053     127 X 150 cm     Print    1989

• Matisse’s “Dance,” 1909. MOMA, NY

Chen has been inspired several times to use Matisse’s La Danse in paintings and prints, beginning with Five Races in Harmony.Having only a black and white illustration of The Dance, Chen was free to make an extraordinary dramatic interpretation that would simultaneously express his admiration for Matisse and demonstrate his own overpowering faith in the coming together of men in a united human family. His five differently colored dancers symbolize the five races.The Red Buddha sits on a multicolored circular pedestal which plays harmonic melody with the circle of dancers and the circle of fire and light behind the Buddha’s head.

– Lawrence Jeppson