剑桥大学首次为马来西亚艺术家举办当代水墨画展 | 丝路Online

剑桥大学首次为马来西亚艺术家举办当代水墨画展

Clare Hall, University of Cambridge is proud to present the solo exhibition of the Malaysian Contemporary Artist,“C.N. Liew: Rocks from Yon Hills”, from 24 November 2022 to 5 January 2023. The theme of the upcoming exhibition is adapted from Liew’s “The Rocks Series”,which seeks to articulate the Chinese philosophyadvocated by Lau Tzu and Zhuang Tzu, “power contained within softness and one’s innate ability to discover the path to truth”.

Liew was born in Kuala Lumpur in 1975, the capital city of Malaysia. He is the first artist of Chinese descent whose works are collected by the National Palace of Malaysia and also the first to be invited to hold solo exhibition on contemporary ink art. Using the Chinese philosophical concept of Dao (the path) as an entry point into analyzing Liew’s exceptional artistry, the artist establishes a dialogue between traditional aesthetics and abstract expressionism through his unique “writing-painting” technique. Studied traditional Chinese philosophies and practicing calligraphy since young, the western expressionism also influenced him a lot in the journey of searching his unique style of painting. Liew’sspiritual longing for freedom is revealed through the incredible energy of his brushstrokes. To Liew, it is an authentic realization that sets out to break free from traditional frameworks and inspire the viewer to grasp the intricate relationship between one’s innate and the eternal nature of the world.

Legend notes, Nüwa saved heaven and earth as Panguseparated the sky and the earth. As we live through the 21st century, natural disasters are still a major threat to the human race. In addition, biological lives are impacted. Severe damage remains to the heaven and earth. Based on past history, it is imperative that we try to repair what was done. From the new experience of visualization obtained from the paintings, one can elucidate Liew’s unique, detailed and poetic methods, which convey sufficiently the environmentalist concerns including climate change. The quiet appearance of primeval rocks, and the natural scenery suffused with mist, both are reflection on the contemporary environment with pollution. The works also allude to the post-pandemic sentiment as if seeing twilight beaming out from the thick fog.

In reality, hills are hills, clouds are clouds, rocks are rocks, and mist is still mist. It is the viewers’ psychology that give them the ups and downs, and subsequently haziness, confusion, reflection, contemplation, twilight, longing, hope or yearning…

He described his process of art making as immersinghimself into meditation scenes or a state of contemplation, Liew objectively presents the “microscopic texture” and “macroscopic vision” of his works. After viewing, reflection is yielded in the depth of the viewers’ consciousness. The strength of the effect varies individually but will lead to persistent impressions.

Liew says, “In ‘The Rocks Series’, gentleness is transcended through ink, meanwhile, the painting as a collective conveys strength and solidity. Indeed, rocks are shaped through constant erosion, cyclization and metamorphism. It encompasses year of environmental challenges, adversity and experience, and can be perceive as an epitome of human perseverance.”

Liew is the first in history to hold a contemporary ink exhibition at Clare Hall, University of Cambridge. He is also the first Asian artist to be approved and invited by Clare Hall’s Art Committee to hold his exhibition in the college. After his exhibition at Clare Hall, Liew has also been invited to present his works in the Kunming Art Biennale in China.

Liew notes, “Cambridge University has a long history and is a world class academic institute. Clare Hall as a Cambridge college renowned for its international academic interactions organises the first contemporary ink exhibition, “C.N. Liew: Rocks from Yon Hills”. This is an event to be celebrated together in the field of contemporary ink art, and a noteworthy hallmark in itshistory. I would like to dedicate my happiness and achievement to the academic spirit of Cambridge University, and the diverse cultural environment of Malaysia, where I grew up, learned and created art. I deeply believe that human civilization and cultural arts are inextricable. Cultural arts lead the way to promote awareness. The future of cultural arts will develop wider, deeper and further through diversity and tolerance.