Army Day Oil Painting "The Mark I Leave on This World" Sparks Heated Discussion

"A shoe sole worn down like that must have a lot of stories to tell," one passerby remarked.

"It's the first time I've seen someone paint a shoe sole so big," another citizen commented, clearly intrigued by the artwork.

Recently, at the Yang Yexin Art Center in Shanghai's M50 art district, an oil painting titled "The Mark I Leave on This World" has been drawing crowds and sparking lively discussions. The painting presents a close-up of a People's Liberation Army shoe sole, incorporating elements like a military service certificate, discharge papers, and an unemployment certificate. Through this unique perspective, it reveals the ups and downs of a soldier's life. In the words of artist Yang Yexin, "The shoe sole is the main evidence of this soldier's existence in the world, and it deserves to be recorded." The painting observes the life of an ordinary soldier from an unusual angle, creating a powerful artistic impact and genuine emotional connection. Some viewers were even moved to salute the painting.

Artist Yang Yexin explained that the oil painting was specially created for Army Day, hoping to pay tribute to all the soldiers who have made great sacrifices for world peace and to celebrate their patriotism and dedication. "They are the real idols of this era," he added. Pointing to the painting, Yang Yexin said, "The owner of this rubber shoe was once a People's Liberation Army soldier who joined the army in 1949, participated in the Liberation War, wrote a suicide note, and was prepared to sacrifice himself for the country. After being discharged, he became a driver, then a security guard after retirement. In his later years, he lived a simple and plain life, and before he passed away, he said he was going to meet his comrades."(People's Liberation Army, Army Day)

Yang Yexin's oil painting reflects on the life of a veteran. Among the countless soldiers in the People's Liberation Army, only a small number are known by name. The vast majority dedicate their lives, known by name but remaining anonymous. Today's peaceful and prosperous world is the collective mark they leave on this world, but their individual footprints are rarely known. This is why the artist focuses on the soles of the veteran's shoes. It not only records the veteran's physical condition, but also records the roads he has traveled, the borders he has guarded, the awards he has received, and the lives he has made... It is the carrier of the veteran's life trajectory, a constant and present mark. It is usually unseen, inconspicuous, and sometimes even unnoticeable, which is a true reflection of the veteran's life. Therefore, the artist presents the veteran's life to the world on a canvas two meters long, dozens of times larger than the actual shoe sole, and uses a combination of mixed materials and oil painting to tell the story of his ordinary and extraordinary life.(People's Liberation Army, Army Day, veteran's life)

Years from now, when we are no longer in this world, what will prove that we once existed? Our descendants and their descendants? The works we create? The good name we leave behind? The impact we have on others? These constitute the marks we leave on this world. However, the wind of time is always blowing, sweeping across everything and constantly testing how deep and how much these marks are. In the infinity of space, we are just a speck of dust; in the infinity of time, we are just a fleeting thought. With this, artist Yang Yexin asks the audience: "What mark have we left on this world?"