Anna Zhao

    anna.whizh@yahoo.com

    EIGHTY paintings by Zhao Meisheng, a master Chinese painter, are on exhibit at Guan Shanyue Art Museum until Thursday.

    The 89-year-old painter is renowned for his mastery of Chinese paintings. His works are in the collection of the Palace Museum, the National Art Museum of China and the Central Government’s office at Zhongnanhai in Beijing.

    Most of the paintings depict landscapes, flowers, birds, human figures and overseas scenes in a traditional style, but with some unique elements. This might be attributed to his experience as a cartoonist before he began doing Chinese paintings. He later taught himself to draw Western paintings and explore Western artistic ideologies and aesthetics.

    On display are his grand and magnificent pieces that delve into the natural world.

    Due to Zhao’s particular fondness for plum blossoms, they dominate his flower paintings. While plum blossoms were traditionally associated with forlornness and desolation, Zhao portrays the flower as elegant and noble with a vitality that speaks to a cheerful future.

    Speaking of his achievements with Chinese paintings, Zhao said he was sharing the fruit of success with numerous artists in the river of history, and he believed it was a Chinese artist’s mission to carry forward traditional Chinese heritage.

    “In my paintings, I keep trying to find a way to integrate the characteristics of the era in which I’m living with traditional Chinese style,” he said.

    As an artist from Shanxi Province, he said the exhibition would help artists from northern and southern China, people from different artistic traditions, communicate more.

    “Whether an artist comes from the south or the north, our common goal is to spread the influence of Chinese painting to the world,” Zhao said.

    Lu Muxun, also a painting master and close friend of Zhao, said Zhao excels in painting by seamlessly weaving cartoon and Western painting skills into his traditional expressions. “He (Zhao) uses his painting skills and rich imagination in his artistic creations, which allows him to stay fresh in an ever-changing world. An artist won’t grow outdated if he keeps thinking and creating new things with his brushes,” Lu said.

    Time: Through May 22

    Venue: Central exhibition Hall, Guan Shanyue Art Museum, 6026 Hongli Road, Futian District (福田区红荔路6026号关山月美术馆)

    Metro: Longgang or Longhua Line, Children’s Palace Station (少年宫站), Exit F2