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Retrospective: Celebrating 70 Years of Liu Kuo-Sung’s Artistic Journey
In this extraordinary exhibition titled “Liu Kuo-Sung: Experimentation as Method,” Liu Kuo-Sung, one of the foremost contemporary Chinese ink painters, showcases a comprehensive collection of his artworks spanning 70 years. The exhibition features astonishing display of over 150 pieces, including 60 ink paintings and various personal artifacts, all meticulously curated to trace Liu Kuo-Sung’s artistic journey. The artworks are arranged chronologically, offering a profound insight into the evolution of his ideas and artistic style throughout seven decades, from the 1950s to 2020.
Prepare to be captivated as you explore the two spacious galleries at the esteemed National Gallery Singapore. Liu Kuo-Sung, born in 1932 (currently 90 years old), hails from the city of Beijing, Anhui Province, China. He pursued further studies in Fine Arts at Taiwan Normal University, and completed his degree in 1955. Since then, he has based in Taiwan.
Exploring the Beauty of East Meets West: Aesthetic Fusion
Liu Kuo-Sung’s works focus on presenting a contemporary approach to Chinese ink painting that breaks free from the constraints of realistic depiction or rigid adherence to traditional brushstroke patterns derived from Chinese calligraphy. He skillfully blends elements of Western art into his compositions, resulting in innovative and whimsical Chinese ink paintings that captivated audiences during that era.
Liu Kuo-Sung was a member of the Fifth Moon Group, an avant-garde artist collective that greatly influenced the art scene in China and Taiwan from the mid-1950s to the 1970s. It is important to note that this period coincided with significant global events, including the Cultural Revolution led by Mao Zedong in China from 1966 to 1976, which had a profound impact on cultural transformation.
“Liu Kuo-Sung is a person who is constantly absorbing, learning, and updating himself. His iconic Space series was inspired by a photograph he saw of Earth taken by astronauts on the Apollo 8 mission in 1968. This photograph became a pivotal moment that led Liu to use the circle as the central motif in his artwork. He employs solid colors or gradient shades, creating a fascinating visual effect.
Interestingly, if we compare this period to Western art, it aligns with the development of Geometric Abstraction and Suprematism in Russia, which often utilized basic geometric shapes such as squares, triangles, circles, and straight lines (rectangles) to create abstract artworks. Liu has integrated these elements into his Chinese ink painting, resulting in distinctive and captivating artworks that encourage further exploration.”
Liu Kuo-Sung: Experimentation as method at National Gallery Singapore
The Liu Kuo-Sung: Experimentation as Method exhibition is held at the National Gallery Singapore, specifically in the Level 4 Gallery and Wu Guanzhong Gallery. The exhibition runs from today until November 26, 2023. For international visitors during regular hours, the ticket price is the General Admission ticket, which grants access to multiple galleries, including this exhibition, at a cost of approximately 20 SGD.
If you plan to visit during Singapore Art Week and on the opening day of this exhibition, there is a special event called Museum Night. This event allows visitors to explore the galleries until 5:00 AM on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, and admission is free for everyone in all zones. This offer extends until January 26, 2023. Please note that tonight might be the final night for this event, as it falls on a Thursday. If you intend to attend, it would be advisable to plan accordingly.
