Sparrows in Central Park
By Fang Yi Wu
Artist’s Statement: Sparrows From Central Park
This is an acrylic painting, and the theme of this painting is that beauty in life can be found everywhere. We live in a fast-paced society where people tend to choose quick and effortless solutions for everything they do. After a tiring day at work, someone might choose to open their phone and watch short videos to unwind. When a student is asked to create a painting, they might turn to Pinterest for inspiration. While these tools can sometimes efficiently help you achieve your goals, more often than not, you find yourself overwhelmed by a flood of information—unable to digest or decide, only growing more anxious. So why not see the world through your own eyes instead of relying on the internet? This painting captures the sparrows I saw in Central Park. The story is simple yet truly brought me joy. Usually you won’t see this many sparrows just sitting in front of you, but one time, I brought a cheese sandwich and these little birds just saw the opportunity to get a free meal from me. So when I sat down on the bench, I saw little fluffy brown balls jumping around me. But when I tossed out the first crumb, the world slowed down. I can still vividly recall the plumpest sparrow leaping up, slightly spreading its wings, and after a stretch and the retract of its neck the crumb was gone. Silence, every sparrow crouched on the ground, waiting for me to toss the second crumb. They stood quietly, yet their feathers fluttered gently in the breeze. Some mysterious force seemed to exist between them, holding each other. Everything appeared calm, but you could sense the sparrows poised for action. The sunlight filtered through the trees, unconcerned.
Fang Yi Wu is a high school student pursuing visual arts. Her work primarily explores the relationship and dynamic interplay between young people and the changing society. She explores this relationship through sculpture and painting, and she is continually experimenting this topic with more sincere expression in her future works.
