SINGAPORE.- A veteran in the world of oil painting, Yu Nancheng has long been fascinated by the allure of both foreign artistic traditions as well as Chinese culture. This is his first solo exhibition of his critically acclaimed China Red series in Singapore, after Wellington Gallery Hong Kong, Li Kai Lin Gallery United Kingdom and a few other renowned galleries in China. This series is a blend of East and West influences as well as modernity and tradition.

The subject matters in China Red are all Chinese elements; Tai Chi is one such element. The essence of Tai Chi can be encapsulated as the interplay of opposing flows and forces. This essence is deftly captured in Yu’s work. China Red comprises thousands of people practising Tai Chi at Tiananmen Square in China. The portrayal of the poses allows Yu to bring forth the spirituality associated with these movements: the yin and yang, the hard and soft coming together to create energy. The power contained in this series is almost palpable and the artist’s view on the product of contrasts becomes more apparent than just his cultural juxtaposition of technique.

Yu’s painting technique and canvas setting are based on Western contemporary art. He utilises a special technique of painting and the theme of infinity permeates his work. Textures are painted layer upon layer, creating a body of art that is thick. In China Red, viewers see a multitude of people practising Kongfu or Tai Chi in unison and as one. What engenders is an impactful visual effect of infinitude and sheer enormity, bringing home the message that Chinese cultural heritage is boundless and ever-lasting.

Members of the public can view his artworks at Ode to Art Raffles City Gallery in Singapore, Li Kai Lin Gallery in the United Kingdom, Brussels, Shangri-La Hotel in Shanghai, and Shanghai Nancy’s Gallery in Tianzifang.

Born in Changzhou, Jiangsu Province in 1956, Yu Nancheng studied painting early in his childhood and has been engaged in art creation for almost 40 years. In the last few years, Yu’s breakthrough technique of creating layers with a palette knife has revolutionised the world of Chinese oil painting. This technique, having roots in Western culture, adds an interesting contrast to the traditional Chinese art.

Using traditional “China Red” as the main element to present his ideas, combined with different somewhat misty and faraway temporal and special backgrounds, he presents powerful visual impact, warmth, ardor and lasting aftertaste, and draws the admirers into their dynamic vitality.

His artworks have been collected by art institutions and professional art collectors in various regions in the world, including U.S., Germany, Switzerland, France, England, Japan and Middle Eastern countries.