INSIDE Scottsdale Auctions • Painting the Old West • State of the Art: Texas APRIL 2014
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Upcoming Group Show
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Up to 15 works March 31-April 12, 2014 Trailside Galleries 7330 Scottsdale Mall Scottsdale, AZ 85251 (480) 945-7751
Eastern influences
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railside Galleries takes viewers on a visual journey to Asia with its ninth East Meets West group show featuring renowned Chinese artists James Jiang, Calvin Liang, Huihan Liu, Mian Situ, Jie-Wei Zhou and several guest artists. As Chinese artists all over the world continue to find both critical and financial success, they also continue to redefine their native art, blending Western influences with their unique and ancient heritage. Painting since the age of 7, Jiang is a member of California Art Club and Oil Painters of America. He loves to paint the children of his native China. Since moving to Arizona he has added cowboys to his oeuvre. In his new painting titled Best Friends, Jiang shows a Miao grandmother getting ready to play a tune for her grandchildren as they try to keep their dog still so it can enjoy grandma’s performance with them. “I want this painting to express people’s love for animals; they are our best friends,” comments Jiang. “This type of love is universal, be it from the East or West.” Situ is well known for his impressionist paintings of the daily lives of the Chinese farmers and villagers. In his new piece titled Wisdom, the artist returns his focus to the Wa ethnic group that borders China and Myanmar. Situ has visited the tribe a few times and has great respect for their unique tradition and culture. “This is an old Wa lady. I can read her whole life from her weathered face. These people are my favorite subjects,” notes Situ. “The East and the West have their different cultures, but at the same time we all share something common and this is what makes the communication between us possible.” The composition in Zhou’s piece Candy Stand reminds the artist of his youth when he would stop by the candy stands on the weekend with his friends. “Even when I visit China today, I walk by these familiar stalls,” he remarks. “…I hope that [my paintings] will give my viewers a glimpse into my culture,
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Mian Situ, Wisdom, oil, 16 x 12”
Jie-Wei Zhou, Candy Stand, oil, 36 x 48”
and evoke within them their own nostalgic memories.” Liu’s painting Sunset Home relays his recent trip to the Luqu Tibetan region in Gansu Province, a remote pasture where nomands have lived for centuries. He recalls the occasion, “It was late afternoon in November, and I was heading north when I encountered some young nomads lassoing sheep and other family members doing late afternoon chores... the light of the sunset moved quickly on the snow-capped hill in the background against turquoise-blue sky and rosy clouds. I was happy to catch a vivid moment.” An artists’ reception for East Meets West will be held April 10 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the gallery’s Scottsdale showroom. Fo r a d i re c t l i n k to t he e x h i b it i n g g a l l e r y g o to w w w. we ste r n a r tc o l le c to r. c o m
Huihan Liu, Sunset Home, oil, 20 x 20”
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