Lot Essay
"Concern for the natural environment becomes stronger in Dodon't, Frogstyle and Last Temptation, which are smaller works of three and four panels, completed in 1997. Each is an allegory about the negative effects of environmental degradation on the cycle of life. Although the theme is gloomy, the paintings themselves are beautiful, with decorative elements and delicate colouring. The portentous meaning of the work is veiled by the charming and slightly comic quality of the imagery.....The imagery in Last Temptation is best described in Guan Wei's words. 'In the picture', he says, 'there is a big bird who looks after three babies and shouts out 'Don't go through the forbidden zone'. It is the marvelous new spectacle which man has made though sciences and technology. Who knows if it is a great dream or a last temptation for life?" (S Cramer, op.cit., p. 10)