Shanghai Star. 2003-07-31 BY---Zhang Kun

　　WATER colour paintings have not been as widely exhib-ited in Shanghai as oil paintings. The prices fetched by such works have also been lower than for oils.

　　"But water colour works can have an artistic value no lower than oils," said Liu Yaping, professor of the Fine Art School at Shanghai Normal University and director of the Water Colour Committee of the Shanghai Artists' Association.

　　Water has different characteristics - transparency and delicacy - which enables artists to achieve different effects, emphasizing the floating, lightness and brightness of water.

　　"Water colour is more suitable for depicting the southern sceneries of China," Liu said.

　　Liu, together with two water colour artists, Nie Chongliang, and Wan Qiong, will give a joint exhibition at the Justep Gallery in August.

　　Among Liu's works there are quite a number depicting southern sceneries - rural houses by rivers, clean stone bridges and paths, but there are also works on urban themes with abstract touches.

　　"The artist needs to let out his feelings and ideas about art," Liu said. Insgroupsto do so, an artist should make various experiments instead of limiting himself to certain media or styles. Liu himself also makes oil paintings and textile works ("soft sculptures").

　　Skills and new information can have negative influence on artists, Liu said. "I have seen many artists who went abroad, finding good conditions, new materials, and many museums /where/ they could view the classic work of the masters, but could no longer produce good work or even gave up painting altogether.

　　"They become confused and lose their individual feelings."

　　In his creations, Liu emphasizes the heaviness and composition of his paintings, combining the floating characteristic of water with in-depth depiction.

　　What he feared, was that full-mastery of technical skill could lead to stiffness in the work.

　　"Natural changes of colour can achieve unexpectedly good effects and rhythms."

　　Inhabiting academic circles for many years, Liu came to oppose the rigid separation of arts by genre and medium. "The understanding for art is more important. Artists can just take it easy and follow their desire for expression.

　　"We three in this exhibition feature three generations of water colour artists in China," Liu said.

　　Although Chinese people started to use water to mix pigment and paint thousands of years ago, modern water colour painting, as an art genre, came to China in the mid-19th century. The older generation of artists, such as Nie Chongliang, were deeply influenced by the Victorian era and by Turner's style.

　　August 16-24

　　Justep Gallery

　　156 Anfu Lu

　　Tel: 6403-8627