Jing Wei
In the context of art, “cute” can come across as something of a backhanded compliment. It implies simplicity, a lack of seriousness, qualities which, despite their obvious appeal, are often associated with a lack of real underlying substance. This line of thought, of course, is complete bullshit. Jing Wei‘s illustrations prove it. Each of them is a little self-contained world, complex, even enigmatic, and, yes, cute as hell. Deal with it.
Maybe cute seems like such an apt descriptor because, no matter how fanciful the setting, every character in Wei’s work seems to fit so snugly in their proper place. Whatever weird thing is happening is so obviously meant to be, you just can’t question it. This feeling of “just-rightness” can be so comforting, in fact, you might find yourself lulled into letting out an “awww” every now and then. It’s OK, we won’t judge you.
However, for those of you who demand a greater sense of certainty with your art appreciation, Wei also maintains a blog which delves into the finer details behind her prints. It turns out many of them were commissioned as visual complements to articles in cool publications like The Believer, McSweeney’s, and, yes, even Cincinnati Magazine. So if you absolutely must know the impetus behind the tapir lounging in a bed suspended in Jello or the quartet of bears dressed like the members of Journey, go ahead and spoil the secret for yourself.
Oh, but before you make up your mind, consider the wisdom of this poem by Richard Brautigan, a man whose work was never once called cute, poor thing. Why let reality intrude where it isn’t needed?
Walter
Every night: just before he falls asleep
Walter coughs. Having never slept
In a room with another person, he thinks
That everybody coughs just before they fall
Asleep. That’s his world.
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