Some of the greatest artists from both East and West understand the value of maintaining an appropriate amount of ambiguity in their works.
From the alluring smile of Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa; to the empty spot on Fan Kuan’s (范寬) landscape paintings. What make them great work of art, aside from the obvious beauty is; it captivates the audience by allowing room for imagination.

The artist of this painting clearly understood that principle, since he left quite a few tantalizing details, yet very few definite clues of its actual message.

In that case, allow me to share with you my own interpretation of the painting.
As I said the 1st clue is the portrait on the top left corner, it’s a re-creation of the artist earlier work, from a full size painting of a mix of the 3 leaders whom form modern China. It’s obvious the house is representing China.
But the question remains, who is the mistress of the house? My 1st choice was the girl on the west side of the table. She seems to be the most focus player on the table and please with her hand of Mahjong tiles. However if you examine more closely you will discover the Phoenix tattoo on the girl on South side’s shoulder, which is a good indication of her true identity. At this point, I’m perplexed on who really represent China!

From further study the painting's entire context, I come to conclusion the girl on the west side represent Japan, let me explain:

Japan being the only girl naked further illustrates and confirms her identity and stature among the players as the most vulnerable and being the weakest. The hint of a smile on her face, can be interpret as she thinks her luck is changing. Perhaps from the recent economic data showing sign of recovery from the over a decade long recession? The pro-Japan Taiwan government currently in power? The tiny but significant steps of becoming a “normal” nation? Now her concentration on her own hand further illustrates how oblivious she is to her surrounding.. Since luck alone is not enough to win the game!

Which, bring us to China - being the only girl without her face shown. No one can tell what she really is thinking. Is she being concern or confident? The 2 tiles she had at her back do allow us some insight. The cheating part is undeniable, but what interest me is, in what way is she cheating?  Notice the left hand from the girl on the east, she is reaching out to China. Did she give china one of the 2 tiles, secretly helping her? Or is she giving out 1 of her own tiles to china as a bilateral beneficial exchange?

That lead me to believe the girl on east side is Russia. Her body language tells us the game isn’t going her way.
What is interesting is she had only exactly 12 tiles. Which mean she had 1 less tiles than she need, render her can’t win this round! Perhaps it’s cause by a previous haste action? But wait! Perhaps China had notice and is about to give her one of her titles to Russia to her aid in exchange for Russia other hand to be place in between the 4th girl and the little girl on the right, since both girls appears to had a special relationship, notice Russia's leg is resting on top of the 4th girl.

The caucasian girl on the North side of the table; What is interesting, is she sits at the upper hand of Japan, which make Japan at a submissive position to her, and had to be mindful of what kind of MJ tiles she discard. So naturally USA comes to mind. I like to think the way the players dress is a way to illustrate its respected nation’s combine power. USA being the strongest yet doesn’t mean she is without issue. Her over-stretch military, the over-spent but low on saving economy and her ageing population. Hence she is portrait as being naked from waist down.

Finally the little girl on the far right, from her distinctively Chinese under-garment, instinctively Taiwan comes into mind. If the basket of fruit is representing her interest, the shiny knife more than likely a sign of danger. We were all taught as a child not to hold a knife like that, since you might hurt someone or probably end up hurting yourself. But wait, there is more, the girl can also represent North Korea, its regime long supported by China. She is deeply concern over the outcome of the game as if waiting for it to be over, so she can offer her fruit to the winner, in hope of getting a nice tip. 

Thanks you all for your comments. Special thanks to齋貓 for keeping the secret alive.

The Final Clue: There are some tantalizing details, about the girl at the North side of the table.

Who is she? Her dominance present over the other players is apparent. Out of all 4 players she appears to be at the most favorable position. Compare to the girl at the west side, she is elegantly dress; to the girl at the south side her hair is neatly groom; to the girl at the east side she acts as if without care and yawning.

But wait! There is some alluring feature. Notice just off the edge of the table, from her waist to her thigh, there isn’t any piece of clothing. Can she be naked from waist down!? If so, perhaps she is more vulnerable than she appears!

Further more, is she really without care? Notice her pupil is at the edge of her eyes. Is her thinking about her own problem else where? Or making a glance on the little girl on the far right? Perhaps interested in the fruits to be offer or cautiously concern on the shiny knife?

這張圖刺青較清晰。

我看不到Newyorker在下面回應文中附的圖片，不知道其他網友可否看到。

麻將是中國的國粹，只有中國在這場遊戲中最得心應手。我猜背部有刺青的女子代表中國。她是牌桌上最篤定又滿懷心機的一位。在國際局勢上，似乎得略施手腳才能穩操勝算。

The 2^nd clue is; the tattoos on the girl’s back sitting at south end of the table.Who really is she? Perhaps the tattoos are a mark from her pass and a sign where she is going?

1. On her back shoulder a distinctively Chinese style phoenix 2. On her lower back a common tribal style tattoo often seen on the lower back of western country girls. The following is a similar design.

齋貓: Although, I didn’t see this painting in person but I have seen and known the artist’s other works. Let’s not spoil the secret, give the others a chance to flex their imagination.

At first glace the Portrait seem oddly familiar, but can’t genuinely recognize the person. It does has some eye-catching facial features, 1. The mustache, 2. Puffy eyes and mole 3. A bald head

All 3 features alone is indistinguishable, but together it become significant.

The portrait in fact was a creation of the Artist base on one of his earlier painting. It is base on a combination of the 3 leaders whom shape modern China.

本文於 2006/07/17 11:00 修改第 7 次

我正想去請Xuser市長來，結果已經看到您了，好棒耶！因爲我第1次看時也認爲比較像是日本人，但後來看又像中國古人的服裝，我不太懂得中國，所以不敢說。

雖然我不能以政治局勢的角度切入畫中，但照畫面麻將桌看來，紋身的女人做牌糊出了，左手的東方女人還在研究手上的牌，可能不解或不甘因何胡不出。對面的女人一副的心不在焉，似乎輸贏都無所謂，又或許太輕敵讓人胡了還不自知。至於倒地的女人大概是輸得一敗塗地，輸到暈過去，難以翻身了。 站在一旁穿肚兜的看似未成年，又或許是身份卑微，不具資格參與 牌局，又心癢癢的想以小刀踞大樹。

我是循著YSY市長的思路詮釋的。

魯迅的臉沒有這麽的豐滿

Stalin

毛澤東