Flower, Not Flower: A Work by Liu Mingxiao

Author: Liu Xiaoming
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 color to paint flowers, plants, and still life. This style, of course, might be called "not Chinese painting," while others might call it "a new form of Chinese painting." Whether it is or not is for viewers and critics to say. As someone who also paints, I've always found it a bit strange—perhaps I'm ignorant, as I haven't heard of painters or theorists in other countries or ethnic groups debating whether something is or isn't oil painting as a major issue. So, regardless of what kind of painting it is, as long as it can still be considered painting, that's enough. Because there are still many issues about painting, such as what to paint and how to paint it, that require more of our attention.
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 application of colors in fine-line painting and the simplicity and brightness of color. This creates a visual layering and transparency in the painting's colors, harmonizing with the thickness and brightness 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 flexibility in his paintings, and if one says "a painter's work reflects their character," then this is evident in Liu Mingxiao's case. Moreover, the fact that so many of Liu Mingxiao's works have been compiled into a collection itself proves the results of his persistence in painting over the years. Without a doubt, this is a victory of his persistence.