Source: Guangming Daily
Liu Shiming graduated from the Sculpture Department of the Central Academy of Fine Arts in 1951. As early as his student days, his work Measuring the Land became the first sculpture in New China to be sent abroad for exhibition, and was later collected by the Czechoslovak National Museum (now the Czech National Museum).
In 1958, Splitting the Mountains to Let the Water Flow, erected in front of the Peace Archway in Zhongshan Park, impressed people with its magnificent spirit and profound significance. Highly praised by art critics then and later, it was archived as a representative work of the era. Liu Shiming is the creator of this sculpture.
Liu never publicised these achievements. For decades, he worked quietly, observing the world with his own eyes, and experiencing the world from his own heart. He is a person who dares to pursue his dreams. He does not seek fame or fortune with art, but only pays attention to his own feelings. Innocent and romantic, he is well versed in the philosophy of life. His art is the elevation of the sublime spirit, the crystallisation of the heart and mind, and the whole of his life.
Having immersed himself with ardent feelings in the life of the grassroots of society for a long time, Liu is familiar with the people’s life, emotions, joys and sorrows. His extensive life experience has deeply influenced his art. He does not depict the objects and reproduce life mechanically, but rises from and above life. He pursues, refines, and sublimates life, enabling his art to exude an enduring charm. Many of his diverse, vivid, interesting, profound and intriguing works, including Farmhouse, Performer Backstage, A Family on the River, and Re-education, paint a big picture with small details. They achieve more with less. Imbued with Liu’s simple feelings, they tell the truth of life.
Great simplicity without frills is Liu’s lifelong pursuit. Staying far away from pretentiousness, his art bears no traces of excessive fine carving, thus breathing a fresh sense of the rural and innocence in contemporary Chinese sculptural art. He is a sincere civilian artist worthy of respect.
Liu advocates the essence of traditional Chinese culture, traditional sculpture and folk art. He absorbs nutrients from them and gains lifelong benefits. He seeks expression of form, spirit and artistic realm in his works. The beauty and charm of Liu’s art lies in the meticulous observation of life, and the artistic reproduction with passion, sensitivity and wisdom, coupled with vivid forms, perfect postures, humorous exaggeration, and unpretentious simplicity.
Whenever I see Liu’s pottery that embodies his emotions in life, I am thrilled. There is always a tangible authenticity that attracts unfailing interest and cannot be forgotten. Sometimes I cannot help but smile, as I admire Liu’s optimism and masterful humour towards life! May he create more artistic wealth for the people!
Liu Shiming graduated from the Sculpture Department of the Central Academy of Fine Arts in 1951. As early as his student days, his work Measuring the Land became the first sculpture in New China to be sent abroad for exhibition, and was later collected by the Czechoslovak National Museum (now the Czech National Museum).
In 1958, Splitting the Mountains to Let the Water Flow, erected in front of the Peace Archway in Zhongshan Park, impressed people with its magnificent spirit and profound significance. Highly praised by art critics then and later, it was archived as a representative work of the era. Liu Shiming is the creator of this sculpture.
Liu never publicised these achievements. For decades, he worked quietly, observing the world with his own eyes, and experiencing the world from his own heart. He is a person who dares to pursue his dreams. He does not seek fame or fortune with art, but only pays attention to his own feelings. Innocent and romantic, he is well versed in the philosophy of life. His art is the elevation of the sublime spirit, the crystallisation of the heart and mind, and the whole of his life.
Having immersed himself with ardent feelings in the life of the grassroots of society for a long time, Liu is familiar with the people’s life, emotions, joys and sorrows. His extensive life experience has deeply influenced his art. He does not depict the objects and reproduce life mechanically, but rises from and above life. He pursues, refines, and sublimates life, enabling his art to exude an enduring charm. Many of his diverse, vivid, interesting, profound and intriguing works, including Farmhouse, Performer Backstage, A Family on the River, and Re-education, paint a big picture with small details. They achieve more with less. Imbued with Liu’s simple feelings, they tell the truth of life.
Great simplicity without frills is Liu’s lifelong pursuit. Staying far away from pretentiousness, his art bears no traces of excessive fine carving, thus breathing a fresh sense of the rural and innocence in contemporary Chinese sculptural art. He is a sincere civilian artist worthy of respect.
Liu advocates the essence of traditional Chinese culture, traditional sculpture and folk art. He absorbs nutrients from them and gains lifelong benefits. He seeks expression of form, spirit and artistic realm in his works. The beauty and charm of Liu’s art lies in the meticulous observation of life, and the artistic reproduction with passion, sensitivity and wisdom, coupled with vivid forms, perfect postures, humorous exaggeration, and unpretentious simplicity.
Whenever I see Liu’s pottery that embodies his emotions in life, I am thrilled. There is always a tangible authenticity that attracts unfailing interest and cannot be forgotten. Sometimes I cannot help but smile, as I admire Liu’s optimism and masterful humour towards life! May he create more artistic wealth for the people!
15 October 2006