Anna Zhao

    anna.whizh@yahoo.com

    MORE than 50 oil paintings by contemporary artist Zhou Xiaojun are on exhibition at the Guan Shanyue Art Museum through July 15.

    A leading figure in the genre of neoimpressionism, the artist is skilled at incorporating Western oil painting techniques with Chinese subject matter.

    Most of the paintings are of natural scenes and human figures in Tibet. The artist developed his own unique expression by combining Western oil painting and traditional Chinese ink painting techniques through stippling.

    A prominent piece among the exhibits is a large-scale painting delineating life in Tibet, which is on public display for the first time. The painting portrays a grand scene of Tibetans welcoming the triumphant return of King Gesar, a legendary figure in Tibetan epic poetry. The painting was finished after the artist spent 30 years doing research in Tibet. The painting contains 500 characters, including the king’s worshippers, generals and warriors and the character of Lama, who plays traditional Tibetan instruments.

    As an artist who studied philosophy at Fudan University in Shanghai, Zhou tends to study his subjects with profound reflection. With a doctoral degree in art from the University of California, he thinks that Chinese artists should capture the essence of Chinese culture.

    Dates: Through July 15

    Venue: 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 B