Bio

Vera Wu is a new US citizen from China. She developed a particular fascination with the visual arts during her studies in China, France, and the US. Her primary subject is flora, often in the form of still life with a tinge of surrealism. Vera’s deep love for the form of withered flowers motivates her to breathe new life into their decaying matter, layer by layer.

Vera infuses her work with a culture of respect. Plants, like any other living thing, merit individuation and appreciation. She believes each bud possesses an essence and, as they inevitably bloom and fall, a story to be witnessed.

Artist Statement

I consider each work to be an affectionate portrait of a plant. Just as a portrait painter’s goal is to emphasize the individuality of their subject, so too is mine in my vegetal still lifes. I aim to bring out their individual personalities, with the subtle dances of their petals, the gentle arcs of their stems, and the intentional distribution of leaves through an iterative layering process, passed down by masters like Rembrandt and Huysum.

When I am working with a subject, it is neither scientific nor formal. It’s more akin to a platonic friendship, sharing sincere conversations and good wine. As a self-taught artist, I stray away from platitudes and pontifications. Instead, I allow the beauty of my subjects—warts and all—to speak for themselves. 'To see a world in a wild flower, and a Bodhi in a leaf.'