Page 118 - The 60.Venice Biennial & MoMA issue of WOA Contemporary Art magazine

Her canvas becomes a portal - a bridge between epochs. She paints
THE SIGHT, 2024 MIXED MATERIAL ON CANVAS 108.2X59 IN. | 275X150 CM.
It describes that in this extremely prosperous society, young people today have to live under the eyes of figures with a reverence for the past, yet her brushstrokes pulse
the secular world or judged by others and lose the ability of self-awareness.
with modernity. Her mastery of figure painting is evident, each
stroke capturing the essence of humanity - their joys, sorrows, and
Exploring the Artistic Odyssey of Liu Liyuan: silent dialogues with history. Now settled in Vancouver, Liu Liyuan
In the vast tapestry of contemporary art, certain luminaries emerge - continues her artistic odyssey. Under the tutelage of renowned oil
artists whose work transcends borders, cultures, and epochs. Among painter Xue Yanqun and calligraphy master Liang Zhaotang, she
these, Liu Liyuan stands as a remarkable figure, weaving her narrative refines her craft. Vancouver’s multicultural milieu infuses her work
across continents and generations. Her journey - from the tumultuous with kaleidoscopic hues - a fusion of East and West, ink and acrylic,
fields of Mao Zedong’s China to the vibrant art scene of Vancouver memory and imagination. Beyond her canvas, Liu Liyuan champions
- reveals layers of resilience, creativity, and cultural exploration. In the next generation. Her role as an art mentor extends to prestigious
her early twenties, Liu Liyuan found herself thrust into the crucible schools across North America and Europe. Her students, like fledgling
of President Mao Zedong’s Cultural Revolution. The harsh realities phoenixes, soar. They win accolades in the World Cup Art Drawing
of field labor shaped her worldview, imprinting upon her a profound Competition, their strokes echoing her teachings. Their success -
understanding of struggle, resilience, and the human condition. 100% - a testament to her unwavering commitment. In 2017, Canadian

Yet, within this crucible, seeds of artistic curiosity were sown. Liu’s television welcomed Liu Liyuan. She graced the screens, sharing
hunger for knowledge led her to Beijing, where she embarked on her insights on the shows “Elegance” and “Dating in the City.”
a formal study of art. Here, she delved into the rich heritage of Simultaneously, her voice resonated across the airwaves - lectures
Chinese artistic traditions, absorbing techniques, symbolism, and on the Canadian Chinese Radio illuminated the path for aspiring
the essence of ink on paper. artists. Her words, like brushstrokes, etched inspiration. Liyuan’s
Her time at the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing marked oil paintings have adorned Swiss galleries, their hues echoing
a pivotal juncture - an intersection of classical training and the Alpine vistas. Her watercolors danced across virtual exhibitions
winds of change. In 1984, Liu Liyuan’s compass shifted westward. in the United States, capturing ephemeral moments. And in the
She left behind the ancient courtyards of Beijing and set sail for hallowed pages of the “Circle Quarterly Art Review”, her name
the sun-kissed shores of San Diego, California. Here, amidst palm found permanence - a whisper across continents. Liu Liyuan’s art
trees and Pacific breezes, she pursued her graduate studies transcends mere aesthetics. It is a bridge - a vessel that carries
-a metamorphosis fueled by exposure to Western aesthetics, echoes of dynasties, whispers of revolutions, and the pulse of today.
abstraction, and the boundless horizons of contemporary art. Liu As she navigates the currents of time, her canvas remains a mirror -
Liyuan’s oeuvre defies easy categorization. a reflection of the human spirit, ever evolving, ever seeking.

118 WORLD of ART