Art of channeling positive energy
By Wang Jie |
May 5, 2013, Sunday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
SHI Di is a mysterious artist who, unlike most of her peers, seldom holds exhibitions. But when she does, Shi shakes up China's art world.
Her solo exhibition at Shanghai's Power Station of Art opened at the weekend, with some critics comparing Shi's work to paintings by famous Chinese-French artist Zao Wou-ki - a weighty comparison for a still young artist.
Shi was wearing a white embroidered robe at the opening ceremony of her exhibition, and on first impressions appeared a little aloof. However, when she spoke, that was quickly dispelled.
"I'm an emotional person, my mood goes up and down from time to time," she said. "There's always something burning in my blood. Luckily, I found how to quench this 'fire' through art."
Shi admits that in creating her art she can sit for hours and let her thoughts float free.
The artist is quick to dismiss comparisons with Zao. "I admire Zao Wou-ki, but I don't want my name linked with any other artist," she said.
Shi may not be widely known among China's art community, but has found acclaim in the West. Her works have been presented as gifts to the French presidential palace, the French Prime Minister's house and the United States Senate.
Shi, who comes from Zhejiang Province and was born into a high-ranking official's family, divides her time between Beijing and Paris. "There are two places to find me: either in my studio near the Bird's Nest stadium in Beijing or my apartment near the Seine in Paris," she said.
A regime of getting up at 5am and going to bed at 9pm may sound more like a day in the life of a farmer than an acclaimed artist, but Shi secludes herself from outside hustle and bustle.
She studied European civilization in Paris, and it's difficult to believe she has never received formal art training.
But Shi points out that she still received top tuition in her quest to reveal the nature of things.
"China's top art professors taught me how to paint when I was a little girl. I have no formal art school education but over the years I have studied with teachers who enabled me to look inside myself with confidence and to capture in painting what is unfolding in nature," she said.
Visitors to the Power Station of Art for Shi's show are first confronted by the powerful sight of 10-meter wide abstract paintings at the entrance.
For this exhibition, Shi juxtaposes such work with a "new weapon" - three digital moving images of her paintings on huge projected screens. The gently and slowing flowing colors on the screen are instantly soothing.
The outsized series, suggesting the convergence of clouds, dew, mist, rain, rivers and sunlight, chime perfectly with the theme of the exhibition - "Heavenly Water without Boundaries, World Continents with One Origin."
They are also part of a project in conjunction with leading psychologists.
"This exhibition works with the Institute of Psychology at the Chinese Academy of Sciences," Shi explained.
Shi stresses the importance of art in psychological healing, and is helping people affected by last month's earthquake in Sichuan Province, in which some 200 people died.
"I was so sad to hear about the earthquake in Sichuan," said Shi. "Usually we are concerned whether the people there have enough to eat or drink at first. However, a month later, it is time for psychological intervention.
"We will send 100 Chinese psychologists to the earthquake zone, armed with 100 iPads screening these moving images I've created.
"My art will function as a bridge, as some people might not be able to look back on their scars and refuse to talk with the psychologists.
"Yet if there is something that can ease their emotional feelings through the peace and harmony radiated by my paintings, they might open their hearts and communicate with psychologists."
Despite their serene appearance, Shi's digital paintings did not come without great effort, taking a 100-member team five years to complete.
"Each second took one month to complete," she said, "but I'm pleased because the outcome is just what I visualized, with an amazing impact.
"Today, this world is filled with too much concern and worry. I hope that my paintings can guide viewers to another, more peaceful world for a short time."
In an effort to create positive energy among a large number of people, Shi's exhibition will tour 100 universities in China, where psychologists and other experts will speak with students there.
"I don't want merely an exhibition that when it closes, is finished," she explained.
"Today, too many people have psychological problems. And sometimes, I'm discovering why.
"As our heart is 'polluted' and our cells 'crying,' we need release to purify our heart and mind."
Before art, Shi expressed her creativity through gems and crystals. She graduated from the Gemological Institute of America in California, and is one of the few gemologists in China recognized as an expert in the West.
"Gems are not a show-off thing. For me, they are like living creatures with their own feelings. I often talk with them."
The artist even uses micro-crystals on her paintings.
"Please note, I am not adding crystals for visual effect," she said, "I experience the energy and life of the micro-crystal while I am painting and they are integral to my work."
No matter whether she's working with gems or with her painting, Shi maintains a down-to-earth attitude.
"I hate to hear people talking about money all the time," she said. "It is only something extraneous to one's life. What is important is to have a tranquil and grateful heart.
"Don't think of me as a social animal," she added. "I spend most of my day at the studio and play with my son every evening. I enjoy the pureness in both life and art. Painting makes me happy. There is no rigid rules, no restrictions on my work."
Her solo exhibition at Shanghai's Power Station of Art opened at the weekend, with some critics comparing Shi's work to paintings by famous Chinese-French artist Zao Wou-ki - a weighty comparison for a still young artist.
Shi was wearing a white embroidered robe at the opening ceremony of her exhibition, and on first impressions appeared a little aloof. However, when she spoke, that was quickly dispelled.
"I'm an emotional person, my mood goes up and down from time to time," she said. "There's always something burning in my blood. Luckily, I found how to quench this 'fire' through art."
Shi admits that in creating her art she can sit for hours and let her thoughts float free.
The artist is quick to dismiss comparisons with Zao. "I admire Zao Wou-ki, but I don't want my name linked with any other artist," she said.
Shi may not be widely known among China's art community, but has found acclaim in the West. Her works have been presented as gifts to the French presidential palace, the French Prime Minister's house and the United States Senate.
Shi, who comes from Zhejiang Province and was born into a high-ranking official's family, divides her time between Beijing and Paris. "There are two places to find me: either in my studio near the Bird's Nest stadium in Beijing or my apartment near the Seine in Paris," she said.
A regime of getting up at 5am and going to bed at 9pm may sound more like a day in the life of a farmer than an acclaimed artist, but Shi secludes herself from outside hustle and bustle.
She studied European civilization in Paris, and it's difficult to believe she has never received formal art training.
But Shi points out that she still received top tuition in her quest to reveal the nature of things.
"China's top art professors taught me how to paint when I was a little girl. I have no formal art school education but over the years I have studied with teachers who enabled me to look inside myself with confidence and to capture in painting what is unfolding in nature," she said.
Visitors to the Power Station of Art for Shi's show are first confronted by the powerful sight of 10-meter wide abstract paintings at the entrance.
For this exhibition, Shi juxtaposes such work with a "new weapon" - three digital moving images of her paintings on huge projected screens. The gently and slowing flowing colors on the screen are instantly soothing.
The outsized series, suggesting the convergence of clouds, dew, mist, rain, rivers and sunlight, chime perfectly with the theme of the exhibition - "Heavenly Water without Boundaries, World Continents with One Origin."
They are also part of a project in conjunction with leading psychologists.
"This exhibition works with the Institute of Psychology at the Chinese Academy of Sciences," Shi explained.
Shi stresses the importance of art in psychological healing, and is helping people affected by last month's earthquake in Sichuan Province, in which some 200 people died.
"I was so sad to hear about the earthquake in Sichuan," said Shi. "Usually we are concerned whether the people there have enough to eat or drink at first. However, a month later, it is time for psychological intervention.
"We will send 100 Chinese psychologists to the earthquake zone, armed with 100 iPads screening these moving images I've created.
"My art will function as a bridge, as some people might not be able to look back on their scars and refuse to talk with the psychologists.
"Yet if there is something that can ease their emotional feelings through the peace and harmony radiated by my paintings, they might open their hearts and communicate with psychologists."
Despite their serene appearance, Shi's digital paintings did not come without great effort, taking a 100-member team five years to complete.
"Each second took one month to complete," she said, "but I'm pleased because the outcome is just what I visualized, with an amazing impact.
"Today, this world is filled with too much concern and worry. I hope that my paintings can guide viewers to another, more peaceful world for a short time."
In an effort to create positive energy among a large number of people, Shi's exhibition will tour 100 universities in China, where psychologists and other experts will speak with students there.
"I don't want merely an exhibition that when it closes, is finished," she explained.
"Today, too many people have psychological problems. And sometimes, I'm discovering why.
"As our heart is 'polluted' and our cells 'crying,' we need release to purify our heart and mind."
Before art, Shi expressed her creativity through gems and crystals. She graduated from the Gemological Institute of America in California, and is one of the few gemologists in China recognized as an expert in the West.
"Gems are not a show-off thing. For me, they are like living creatures with their own feelings. I often talk with them."
The artist even uses micro-crystals on her paintings.
"Please note, I am not adding crystals for visual effect," she said, "I experience the energy and life of the micro-crystal while I am painting and they are integral to my work."
No matter whether she's working with gems or with her painting, Shi maintains a down-to-earth attitude.
"I hate to hear people talking about money all the time," she said. "It is only something extraneous to one's life. What is important is to have a tranquil and grateful heart.
"Don't think of me as a social animal," she added. "I spend most of my day at the studio and play with my son every evening. I enjoy the pureness in both life and art. Painting makes me happy. There is no rigid rules, no restrictions on my work."
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