By: Anne Schulze

As 2023 drew to a close, an innovative art project titled "100 Dogs' New Year Wishes" quietly emerged, masterfully created by the artist Wei Kang, known for his rich creativity. This project is not just a visual feast but a profound exploration of the soul, aiming to trigger reflections on the essence of happiness through the simple wishes of dogs.

The concept of "100 Dogs' New Year Wishes" stems from a deep insight into the nature of happiness. In the busy and complex human society, we often chase lofty and complicated goals, overlooking that happiness often comes from the simple things in life. Dogs, with their direct and pure way of living, present another possibility for joy. As the core philosophy of "dog jokes comic" states: "happy human happy life", observing the life of dogs might help us rediscover the true meaning of happiness.

Wei Kang started by collecting new year wishes from 100 dogs through their owners, listening to these furry children's aspirations. Although these wishes are simple, they are filled with the joy of living and the longing for a beautiful future. Wei Kang then transformed these wishes into paintings, creating a New York City for dogs. In this imaginary city, dogs are either making wishes or already living in their dream scenes, from the Metropolitan Museum of Art (Met) to the Brooklyn Bridge, from the Empire State Building to Chinatown, and from Central Park to Bryant Park, the dogs' footprints are all over every corner of New York.

The charm of "100 Dogs' New Year Wishes" lies in its diversity and rich detail. Each dog has its unique personality and wishes, from the innocence of chasing tails to the leisure of walking in Central Park, every painting is full of surprises and joy. Wei Kang skillfully combines reality with imagination, not just presenting the dogs' wishes but depicting an idealized world where animals and humans live in harmony and enjoy the beauty of life together.

Through this series of works, Wei Kang not only wants to show the happy lives of dogs but also hopes to inspire deep reflection in viewers, prompting them to re-examine their own lives and pursuits. In today's society, people are often bound by materialism and utility, forgetting the simple pleasures of life. "100 Dogs' New Year Wishes" reminds us that sometimes, happiness is right beside us, if only we took the time to notice.

"100 Dogs' New Year Wishes" is more than an art piece; it's a journey of the soul, guiding us to rediscover the beauty in life. It tells us that happiness can be much simpler than we think. Just like these dogs' wishes, simple yet full of hope and joy. Let us follow Wei Kang's brush and explore our own happiness.