Five Peacocks Perched on a Plum Blossom Tree (2018), 247 cm x 202 cm, Fang Chuxiong
Fang Chuxiong’s works combine the meticulousness of fine brushwork with the elegance of freehand brushstrokes, making him a distinct figure in the contemporary Chinese art circle.
Fang Chuxiong is a representative figure in the field of contemporary Chinese flower-and-bird painting. His artwork masterfully integrates the elements of nature, the charm of living creatures, the subtleties of brushwork, and the vitality of color, exhibiting refined taste and a vibrant style. He currently serves as a professor at Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts, a member of the China Artists Association, and a researcher at the China National Academy of Painting.
Fang’s art is not only a living continuation of traditional Chinese brushworks but also a concentrated expression of his lifelong pursuit. Born in 1950 in Shantou City, Guangdong Province, he studied under such renowned Lingnan School painters as Wang Lanruo and Liu Changchao. Later he attended Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts in the 1970s and then remained at the academy after his graduation to teach while continuing his creative work.
His works touch on a broad range of subjects from familiar domestic fowl to peacocks, elephants, wildebeests, zebras, and giraffes. These vividly depicted figures are not only a celebration of nature but also a tribute to the vitality of all living beings. They represent both an innovative expression of the traditional Lingnan culture and a reflection on the contemporary human environment.
Fang has devoted his life to inheriting the literati painting styles of the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1616-1911) dynasties, as well as the realistic traditions of the Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279) dynasties. His works bridge the boundaries between expressive and realistic painting, and between figurative and symbolic imagery, fusing them into a cohesive whole. As a result, his works embody both the concreteness and vividness of realistic painting while expressing the elegance and freedom of literati. Through long-term artistic practice, he has developed his own artistic and creative style that is characterized by freshness, refinement, spiritual vitality, and robust strength.
When choosing painting themes, he focuses on themes which are based on real life and seriously studies the objective details of nature. Each of his works are the result of careful planning combined with artistic techniques from the details to the overall composition. Through intricate yet moderate brushstrokes, as well as elegant, distinctive colors, he creates bird-and-flower paintings that stand out from traditional styles.
In recent years, he has held dozens of solo exhibitions in China’s Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, as well as other countries including Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore. His works have been repeatedly selected for display at China’s National Exhibition of Fine Arts and have won many awards. His representative works are collected by the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Zhongnanhai, the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, the Military Museum, and other art galleries and museums across the country.
