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Tian Yulin, Painting Should Keep Pace with the Time2007/11/01
text by Chai Jingnan What distinguishes Tian Yulin, an innovative Chinese painter, is evident in his new work Xiang Rui Tu (Auspicious Animals and Plants), which was on display recently at The People's Conference Hall in Beijing. Born in Jilin Province, Northeast China, in the 1940s, Tian followed Wang Xuetao, a master Chinese painter, as a 13-year-old boy; he later became a famous painter of flowers and birds on his own. Also instructed by Qi Baishi, Li Kuchan and Dong Shouping (all famous Chinese painters), Tian learned their painting skills but also the way to observe and experience life. Instead of copying the seniors mechanically, Tian tried to absorb the essence of his tutors and gradually developed his own style. In 1988, despite his fame and recognition in China, Tian left for Canada and travelled for a decade. According to Tian, he wanted to study the western methods of using colours so he could incorporate them into traditional Chinese paintings. After he'd achieved this goal, he abandoned his promising career abroad and returned to China in 2002. The same year, he was honoured with a solo exhibition in Beijing. The 5.6-metre-long and 2-metre-high painting Xiang Rui Tu represents Tian's years development and hard work. According to Tian, Xiang Rui Tu marks a turning point in his career. Unlike other traditional Chinese paintings of flowers and birds, which were stylized to be delicate and fine and usually small, Xiang Rui Tu is full of power and grandeur. Tian combined flowers with mountains, with water serving as background, to create an imposing scene. Tian says he loves kung fu films: when viewing them, he says he ignores the love-hate genre. Instead, he concentrates on power, speed, light and colour and how these factors influence the image he sees. He readily accepts inspirations for his painting: perhaps for this reason, they are works full of life. |
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