Flowers are not flowers

Author: Liu Mingxiao
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-05-01
Features: Liu Mingxiao's paintings use cloth instead of Xuan paper and acrylic instead of ink. In terms of expression, he emphasizes the composition of form and the use of color to paint flowers, plants, and still life. This painting style is, of course, often called "not Chinese painting," while others call it "a new form of Chinese painting." Whether it is or not is for the viewers and critics to say. As someone who also paints, I have always found it a bit strange—perhaps I am ignorant, as I have never heard of painters or theorists from other countries or ethnic groups debating whether something is or isn't oil painting as a major issue. So, no matter what kind of painting it is, as long as it can still be considered a painting, that is enough. There are still many other painting-related questions that need our attention, such as what to paint and how to paint it.
Liu Mingxiao's paintings of flowers and plants differ from the traditional "depiction of objects" in flower-and-bird painting and from the traditional "expression of emotions" in flower-and-bird painting. Instead, they represent a modern aesthetic perspective, so there is a completely new intrinsic connection between the emphasis on form and the content being painted. In terms of technique, he equally values the graded and layered washes of meticulous brushwork and the simplicity and brightness of color. He achieves a visual layering and transparency in the painting's color that harmonizes with the thickness and brilliance often lacking in traditional painting, creating a complementary and interesting effect. In his recent works, we can also see Liu Mingxiao consciously moving away from the decorative aspects of his paintings, combining the use of color and water to create a more spontaneous approach, making the paintings more dynamic and lively. This is the reflection of Liu Mingxiao's liveliness in his works—if one says "a painter's art reflects their character."
Moreover, the fact that Liu Mingxiao has so many works compiled into a collection itself proves the results of his persistence in painting over the years. Without a doubt, this is the victory of his persistence.