Painter has first solo show on mainland

Best known in China for his many books, multitalented artist

brings exhibition to Beijing, Liu Xiangrui reports.

C elebrated as a best-selling writer, TV anchor, journalist, lecturer, educator and philanthropist, Liu Yung's multiple talents mean he is less mentioned as a professional artist.

However, an ongoing painting exhibition by the 66-year-old artist has allowed audiences on the Chinese mainland to get a close-up view of Liu's artistic attainments for the first time.

The solo exhibition of works by Liu, who was born in Taiwan and is now a US citizen, is being held at the Art Museum of Beijing Art Academy from May 14 to 26.

The exhibition, called Dreams of Natural Tranquility, displays nearly 60 of Liu's works. It is being held jointly by the Institute of Fine Arts under the Chinese National Academy of Arts and the Art Museum of Beijing Art Academy.

It is the first solo exhibition of Liu's paintings on the Chinese mainland, where he has been better known as a writer for many years.

As a best-selling author, Liu visits the mainland often to give lectures, paint natural settings, and attend book-signing events. A dedicated philanthropist, he has funded the construction of 40 primary schools with the Hope charitable project.

He has maintained multiple facets even in the field of painting, where his wide range of genres includes portraits, landscapes, and flowers and birds in a traditional Chinese style.

Liu graduated from the National Taiwan Normal University majoring in art in 1972. He received strict professional training and his works won a number of awards in exhibitions while he was still a student.

He studied with Huang Junbi, a well-known artist of traditional Chinese ink painting, and gained deep understanding of the traditional style. However, he leaped the traditional barriers and formed his own artistic style.

Liu kept painting after his graduation and has created many outstanding works.

Shao Dazhen, a renowned art critic, appreciates Liu's work highly. "He has been able to create high-quality works in different themes and styles. That's really difficult for artists," Shao said.

Liu said his artistic achievements and style are the result of three different inspirational sources: nature, culture and his personal life experiences.

Some of Liu's works depict lively social scenes and show the customs of a specific period. The paintings often contain vivid details and each part of a painting can tell stories.

Such works, though basically realistic, create a lyrical and nostalgic atmosphere as well as arouse feelings of homesickness.

"These kind of works by Liu Yung not only show the social aspects of a certain period, but his personal life memories. As the artist looks at society and life from the individual perspective, he injects much personal emotion into the works," said art critic Jia Fangzhou.

Historically themed paintings form another important aspect of Liu's art. A nostalgic and inquisitive spirit is a typical feature of Liu's works, said art critic Lang Shaojun.

Liu has authored more than 70 books, including best-selling inspirational tomes including To Go Beyond Yourself, To Create Yourself and To Affirm Yourself, as well as works of literature and art books.

For him, painting and writing are essentially the same and he sees painting as simply a more visual way to express himself.

According to Liu, his paintings are often closely related to his literary creation, and he only paints when he has something to express.

"A verse line may both inspire me to paint and to write. I might do a painting and write prose on the same theme," he said.

Liu said he values painting from nature, which has helped him accumulate lots of visual images in his mind. He has formed many unique expressions and skills through his constant practice of painting from life.

The Beijing exhibition contains a special section that displays paintings from life.

(China Daily 05/15/2015 page22)