Chinese Influence Map

Since I've been living in China, a whole new set of artists have been influencing both my style and experience. Here are some of my favorites!

Starting at the top, clockwise from left to right:

“Forbidden” by Jiang Guo Fang. He was born in Jiang Xi in 1951, and received formal training in the Oil Painting Department when he enrolled at the Central Academy of Fine Arts in 1974. Shortly after his graduation in 1978, Jiang was appointed to teach at the same school. One year later, he was transferred to teach in the Arts Department at the Central Institute for Drama.
In 1984, he returned to the Central Academy of Fine Arts and received his Master’s Degree. After 20 years he gave up teaching and began to concentrate exclusively on becoming a professional artist.
His work has been shown in galleries worldwide. His work is ab-so-lute-ly phenomenal!

Sa Dingding: It could be argued that while Loreena Mckennitt is my musical muse from the West, her Eastern counterpart would have to be SaDingding. Classified as a Chinese folk singer, her latest music combines contemporary lyrics and style with traditional arraignments and instruments. She sings in Mandarin, Sanskrit, and Tibetian languages, as well as an imaginary self-created language to evoke emotion in her music. She plays many instruments, including the guzheng and matouquin. I fell in love with her music at first listen...

Dezhen: Born in 1974 in Taiwan, “Der Jen's” main subject matter are women, woven into the romance, history and heroism of the ancient world. Beautifully rendered, her paintings exhibit the cultural richness of a time long ago. She has illustrated countless books, and her art has been collected into quite a few volumes which feature her work exclusively.

“Rain” by Benjamin. This Chinese comic artist's work (real name: Bin Zhang) is full of energy, and bright but contracted colors. His comic book, Orange, was published in seven European countries and received critical acclaim in France. After impressing fans with his fast and dynamic drawing skills at the Comic Convention in New York, the editors at Marvel Comics started to take notice of this young digital artist.

Traditional Chinese Ink Paintings: They are everywhere! Around the corner from where I live is an old street lined on both sides with micro-galleries, full of these wonderful paintings, some as big as walls! From classic studies to contemporary subjects, I am delighted that ink is regarded as an art form on par with (and indeed, often above) oils!

“No Obstacle” by Wang Dongli: Born in 1945, Wang is one of China's pre-eminent Modernist calligraphers. In the late 1980s and early 1990s he worked in the USA and Japan. He likes combining classical Chinese styles with inspiration from other arts and cultures.

“The Weavers” by Zhang Wen Xin: Born in 1928 in Tienjing, Wen is a self-described "people painter." A true master craftsman, he has produced thousands of images, and in 1993, he was named a World Famous Artist by the World Modern Artists Dictionary and the Judgmentation Committee of China. In 1996, he was awarded the status of World Famous Chinese Artist and Best of Show from the Oil Painters of America, from whom he has received the title of Master Signature Painter.

“Clear Rhythm of Brook and Mountain” by Li Xubai: For me, Li Xubai’s work combines the best elements of classic Chinese painting with the expressiveness of modern abstraction. It's this synthesis of both visions that drew me to his images.

That's it for now. Back to the sketch pad to me...