Chinese painter Liu Wentao's solo exhibition is being held in Pifo Art Gallery until December 3, 2009. The show displays his latest works in the past year and his ideas about paining, culture and life.

Liu Wentao and his work [China.org.cn]

Liu's works are made of countless straight lines pointing in different directions on paper. Some of them are folded in the middle to add a three-dimensional look. Talking about the ideas behind his works, Liu told China.org.cn, "Pencil sketch is the first lesson for a painter. I want to create a quiet and original state for a human being. That's why I chose this very basic form. I hope the audience can feel quiet and at peace when they look at my works."

Liu's major in college was printmaking. He has figured out the effects different lines can make and has stuck to this painting style for the past few years. "Printmaking consists of lines. This art form is very special and I've been working on it since my junior year," Liu said. Pointing to another one of his works, he commented, "This is the same concept, I just changed up the material. I did not have a specific idea about what my work would look like in the beginning. When I finished one layer of lines, I just adjusted the angle and painted more layers on it. The result turned out by itself rather randomly. I'm still working on printmaking. Maybe in one or two years I'll hold a printmaking show, on the same subject."

As an abstract artist, Liu has faith in the future of Chinese abstract painting. "Many westerners assert that abstract painting and modern painting are dying art forms. It's their perspective. Chinese art and ways of thinking are different. We tend to paint more freely. So I believe abstract in China has an infinite future."

Liu Wentao's art work [China.org.cn]

Liu Wentao's art work [China.org.cn]

Liu Wentao's art work [China.org.cn]

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