Monochrome Dialogue
Kai Liu
Simone Guo
February 6 to 22, 2025
Tuesday to Saturday
Noon to 5 pm
Opening Reception:
Saturday, February 8, 2025
2 to 4 pm
Artist Statement
Simone Guo
Primarily working with oil and acrylic, I also maintain a long-term practice in Chinese ink painting and calligraphy. In a highly abstract and symbolic manner, my subjects were depicted as mountains, water or the void through instinctive process of brushwork that evokes their essence. Rather than applying texture strokes typical of traditional Chinese landscape painting, I adopt techniques of the sketchy and expressive Xieyi (寫
意) style, such as splashing ink, broken ink, dry brush, fllying white or Feibai(飛白) etc. It is in this meditative practice that I experience the tensions between form and
formless, presence and absence.
Characterized by swift and spontaneous brush movement, rough textures, strong contrast between light and dark ink and an array of nuanced ink gradations, my practice combines calligraphic brushwork with a more contemporary sensibility. It speaks to the grand landscape within my mind, and explore the metaphorical depth of the genre.
Kai Liu
In my ongoing series of prints and print-based mixed media works titled "The Other Shore," I explore seascapes and the natural formations found along the breathtaking West Coast. This artistic journey comes to life through the intriguing and tactile process of collagraph printmaking, allowing me to capture the essence of the textures of rock, ocean, and sky. In creating printing plates, I incorporate various recycled materials, which add a layer of sustainability to my practice. These materials not only provide a foundation for texture study but also encourage reflection on the beauty and fragility of our environment.
Biography
Kai Liu is a Chinese-Canadian artist based in Vancouver, BC, known for his expressive portrayals of landscapes. Utilizing painting, printmaking, and mixed media, Liu explores the interplay between observed nature and imaginative imagery. Born and raised in China, he honed his artistic skills through extensive training in drawing and painting while studying traditional Chinese art. His work often integrates the aesthetic philosophy of Chinese painting and calligraphy, creating a unique blend of cultural influences that define his contemporary art practice. Liu's artistic journey led him to Canada, where he initially worked as a graphic designer in Ontario. Eventually, he found his artistic home in Vancouver, BC, where he pursued printmaking at Langara College. He furthered his education with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) and a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) from Emily Carr University. His work has been exhibited across Canada, showcasing his distinctive artistic perspective and diverse disciplines
Living and working in Greater Vancouver, Simone Ximeng Guo was born in China to an artist’s family and practiced Chinese brush painting in childhood. She studied at Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing, China where she completed a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Art History, and in 2004, earned another Master of Art History degree from the University of Victoria. She has been exhibiting with Art Beatus Gallery, Visual Space Gallery in Vancouver, and her works are also represented by Art Rental & Sales at Vancouver Art Gallery.