Exhibition period: December 23rd to December 28th, 2013

Exhibition location: Central Hall and Hall C of Shenzhen Guanshan Moon Art Museum

Guan Shanyue is a famous painter, great educator, and an outstanding representative of the Lingnan School of Painting, making outstanding contributions to China's art industry. His artistic proposition of "balancing China and the West, integrating ancient and modern" inspires generation after generation of young artists to boldly innovate and open up a new era of art.

I am an artist who grew up on the land of Jianghuai, but I am deeply influenced by the Lingnan School of Painting. Mainly, the Lingnan School of Painting perfectly combines realism and freehand brushwork, injecting a sense of life and vitality into artistic works. I appreciate the Lingnan Painting School's understanding and flexible use of colors, making art colorful. At the same time, it emphasizes the expressive power of brushstrokes, making traditional Chinese painting shine in the new era.

I have loved art since I was young, especially Chinese painting. I have indeed put in some effort in inheriting the spirit of traditional brushwork and the freehand brushwork of Chinese literati painting. However, after reading today's work, I have boldly taken a step forward in exploring artistic forms and advancing the refinement and expression of brushwork.

The truth of art does not equal the truth of life. I have expanded the aesthetic scope of Chinese painting and created new artistic images using romantic techniques such as association, exaggeration, and transformation. I strive to preserve and enhance the elegant and interesting brushstrokes of Chinese painting, while also injecting the spirit of humanistic care and life sentiment.

Perhaps my art is not yet mature enough and still far from everyone's expectations, but I am still working hard and exploring. Today's art exhibition is not the end, but a new starting point for my artistic path.

Meng Weidong