Xu Heng - Case Study of Influential Painters in the 21st Century

Author: Jia Dedong
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2007-01-01
Features: Inheriting the tradition and emerging from classic works, Xu Heng consciously pursues the artistic character of "simplicity, depth, grandeur, and magnificence." If his landscape paintings in the past few years still bore the traces of certain schools of art, then his recent progress and maturity in landscape painting can truly be summarized with the phrase "transcending the old self." The main of his maturity lies in the acquisition of brushwork sensitivity and ability, as well as the alignment of his brushwork style with his spiritual pursuits. In terms of personal factors, this stems from talent and hard work; in terms of environmental factors, it is attributed to the vast and boundless life force of the Yunze mountains and rivers. Xu Heng began studying traditional Chinese painting in 1979 and has dedicated himself to the learning and creation of Chinese landscape painting for many years, persistently sketching in the mountainous areas of Guizhou. He graduated from the graduate program of Shanghai Normal University in 2002. In October 2002, he entered the doctoral program in Chinese painting at the Central Academy of Fine Arts, studying under Professor Zhang Lichen. He has published numerous papers in various important academic journals. His works have been collected by institutions such as the National Art Museum of China and other art organizations at various levels. He has held solo exhibitions in multiple cities across China. In July 2005, his work "Sunrise" won the first prize in the Second "Nature and Humanity" Exhibition of Chinese Landscape Painting and Oil Painting. He is currently the director of the Department of Fine Arts at the School of Art, Guizhou University.