"The overall style of your previous paintings has tended to be gloomy and oppressive. You've also been very fond of using techniques of distortion and deformation. That is certainly fine; after all, it can intuitively deliver a very powerful visual impact. But to be honest, I really hope to see something from your work that is different from what you've done before—for example, more vibrant and bright colors, or more dreamlike, surreal scenes, much like *The Starry Night*."
"Junior, I have always felt that you could achieve even more within the Surrealist movement. Do not be confined by the present. It’s just like how you cut your bangs in reality, stepped out of your own little bubble, and started communicating with everyone... I want to see you make that same kind of shift in your painting."
"After all, apart from warning against reality or exposing cruelty, art—even with its cold-eyed scrutiny—can also bring people warmth and hope. I want to see that kind of beauty in your paintings, too. Images like sunflowers, a red sun, birds of prey... you can incorporate all of these."
Chapter 41