LIU JIAWEI

b. 1960, China

Often I have asked myself, why do I paint “Tibet”? It haunted me as I constantly shifted from anxiety, depression, and paranoia to the point of despair. When anxiety becomes a core emotion, it undoubtedly will be reflected onto the canvas. Looking back – it was under this emotional state of inexplicable confusion and anxiety that I created many paintings about Tibet.

 

It was autumn, 1991. With some reverence in my heart, I arrived in Tibet – a land full of allure and wonder. On the way, I came across large stones charred black from the burning sun, as if it was a scene from purgatory itself. The slowly fading silhouettes of Lamas upon the mountain road seemed like a forlorn smear of red – branding itself upon the heart, as a pang of melancholy permeates inside my chest. Dusk, prayer flags rolling under the sunset. Early morning, the rising smoke clouds in front of Jokhang Temple. Crowd after crowd of prostrating pilgrims, group alongside group of Lamas sitting against the walls. In front of me I see block next to block of solid yet depressive colours – blurring out all detail. Waves upon waves of oppressive yet distant horns bellowing, like the surging tide, washing over me. At this moment, I am deeply moved by the spiritual atmosphere that surrounds me…

 

Today, I finally understand, the relationship between artists and Tibet, artists and the Earth, artists and all living things – is one of spiritual yearning.

 

— Liu Jiawei
December 2010

Education and Qualifications

1984 – 1997: graduated from Sichuan Academy of Fine Arts – Department of Oil Painting , Central Academy of Fine Arts – Department of Oil Painting, 9th Research and Advanced Class.

Member of the Sichuan Fine Arts Association

 

Awards and Exhibitions

  • 2009: Fine impression of China, China Integrity Art Gallery Touring Exhibition in Shinjuku NS Building, Tokyo, Japan.
  • 2008:《The Impression of Tibet》series selected for the 2008 Spring Salon Exhibition, New Art Center, Sichuan University, China.
  • 2008: October Sichuan Figure Painters Academic Exchange Exhibition, Feima Gallery, Chengdu, China.
  • 2006 : 《The Impression of Tibet》series selected for the 2006 Spring Salon Exhibition, New Art Center, Sichuan University, China
  • 1999: 《Endlessly Vast》entered the 20th Century 100 Year Sichuan Art Show, Sichuan, China.
  • 1999: 《1959 . Lhasa》entered the Sichuan Provincial Fine Art Exhibition, Sichuan, China.
  • 1997: 《Household on Plateau》,《The Setting Sun》and 《Endlessly Vast》selected for the graduate exhibition of the 9th Research and Advanced Class, Department of Oil Painting, China Central Academy of Fine Arts.
  • 1997: 《Endlessly Vast》selected for Entering the New Century – Chinese Young Painters Exhibition, Beijing, China.
  • 1995: 《Landscape》selected for the inaugural Chengdu Oil Painting Exhibition, Chengdu, China.
  • 1994: 《The Believers》selected for the Chengdu Fine Art Show, Chengdu, China.

 

Publications

  • May, 2010: Sounds and Expressions in the Silhouette, Exclusive Interview in MIND Chinese Culture Magazine.
  • January, 2008: A Majestic Sunset Over a Decade of Dust and the Quiet Sounds of Nature, Sichuan Pictorial Magazine People and Travel
  • 2004: Exploration and Transformation, Chinese Oil Painting Magazine Issue 6
  • 1998 – 2002: Plateau Impression Series, Sichuan Western Tibet and Chengdu, China.
  • 1997: 《Vicissitudes》, 《Portrait》 included in Central Academy of Fine Arts – Works from Across the Century.