In "Debris of Eternity", Qiu draws inspiration from the ancient Chinese tradition of “tribute paintings”, which documented the periodic visits of tributary states to the imperial court where ambassadors would offer valuable gifts. This ancient practice is reimagined here through whimsical imagery rendered in vivid colors, reflecting the artist’s distinctive blend of Eastern and Western aesthetic traditions. The painting depicts a scene of tribute bearers carrying flags, maps, magical beasts and treasures as they sojourn, symbolizing the coexistence of civilisations. This distinctive narrative becomes a vessel for the artist’s memories and fantasies, weaving together the past and present, the individual and collective, and his own familial history with the geopolitical relationship between his hometown of Harbin, China, and the former Soviet Union.Drawing from memory, fantasy and historical references, Qiu offers a profound exploration of reality and the human psyche, reflected in the mystical allure of his paintings. Transcending mere representation, Qiu’s paintings invite the viewer to delve deeper into the complexities of existence in a dream-like manner.
