RARE — Quên Tarot: The Devil in Beijing, China | Original Watercolor Painting on Art Paper (A6)

RARE — Quên Tarot: The Devil in Beijing, China | Original Watercolor Painting on Art Paper (A6)

Original Artwork
Watercolor on Art Paper
A6 Size
Painted in 2021

Part of the original Quên – Forget Tarot De Gap collection by Duy Khanh Vo.

The Devil in Beijing portrays an unexpected encounter beneath the ancient gates of the city. Emerging near Zhengyangmen, one of Beijing’s historic gateways, the Devil appears without warning and without explanation. There is no grand conflict, no dramatic temptation, and no clear purpose behind its arrival. It simply exists—standing quietly within the landscape, as natural and ordinary as the crowds that pass by.

Created during the development of Quên – Forget Tarot De Gap, this artwork reflects one of the deck's recurring themes: not everything in life arrives with a reason we can immediately understand. Some emotions, fears, desires, and obsessions appear suddenly, becoming part of our journey whether we welcome them or not.

Inspired by the archetype of The Devil, the painting explores attachment, illusion, and the hidden forces that shape human behavior. Yet unlike traditional depictions of evil or corruption, this interpretation presents the Devil as an observer rather than a ruler. It is neither monster nor villain. It is simply a manifestation—one of the many faces that exist within the human experience.

Within the philosophy of Quên, forgetting is never about denying what exists. We cannot truly understand ourselves by rejecting our shadows. The Devil reminds us that fear, longing, temptation, and uncertainty are all part of the same story. They travel beside us, quietly influencing our choices until we are willing to acknowledge their presence.

The ancient walls of Beijing become a fitting backdrop for this encounter. Civilizations rise and fall, memories are preserved and forgotten, yet the inner struggles of humanity remain remarkably familiar across time and place.

This artwork is a tribute to self-awareness. It invites us to look at our shadows not with fear, but with curiosity, understanding that every part of ourselves has something to teach us.

Artwork Details

Title: RARE — Quên Tarot: The Devil in Beijing, China

Artist: Duy Khanh Vo

Year: 2021

Medium: Watercolor on Art Paper

Size: A6

Original Artwork (One of a Kind)

Signed by the Artist

Part of the Quên – Forget Tarot De Gap Collection

Please note that colors may vary slightly depending on screen settings. Minor imperfections, paper texture, and handmade characteristics are part of the artwork's authenticity and uniqueness.

About Quên – Forget Tarot De Gap

Quên – Forget Tarot De Gap is an award-winning tarot project created by Vietnamese artist Duy Khanh Vo.

Winner of the CARTA Awards for Best Tarot Deck and Best Self-Published Tarot Deck, Quên follows the traditional Rider–Waite–Smith tarot system while weaving together personal memories, journeys across Asia, and reflections on healing, loss, and self-discovery.

More than a story about forgetting, Quên explores the meaning behind letting go. Through experiences gathered across Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, China, and unnamed places of memory, each artwork becomes an invitation to understand ourselves more deeply and embrace the beauty found within change.