Plum Blossoms Gallery takes pride in presenting “C.N. Liew-Calligraphic Evolution”, the up-and-coming Malaysian-Chinese artist C.N.Liew’s first solo exhibition in Hong Kong.

Born in Kuala Lumpur in 1975, C. N. Liew demonstrates a tremendous amount of boldness and innovation in his work, leading him to a breakthrough encounter with the 5000-year-old art form of Chinese calligraphy.  Apprenticed under the legendary Zen art master Bo Yuan (1914-2009), Liew combines artistic authenticity and the philosophy of Zen Buddhism into his creations.  His stylistic approach is also strongly influenced by the Western Surrealist movement, “where raw emotions and psyche flow freely with an element of surprise and unanticipated juxtapositions”.  The collision of such art forms with the largely traditional practice of Chinese calligraphy results in Liew’s creation of “Surrealligraphy”, a unique stroke of ingenuity capable of leaving the audience in awe.

This exhibition will showcase Liew’s latest creations from 2009 to date, witnessing the artist’s progression both in brushstrokes and in his spiritual practice.  This body of works is an extraordinary combination of poetry, calligraphy and painting, with inspirations drawn from classical Chinese literature written by the great Li Bai, Su Shi, Eileen Zhang and Mao Zedong. In each painting, Liew begins by taking the textual content of a selected verse as his inspiration. He then goes on dictating the characters in strokes of acrylic paint, building up layers of calligraphic strokes on a single aluminium plate. The dripping and spattering of paint creates a unique palette that is vastly striking to the eye, at the same time allowing the audience to visually trace the powerful movements of the artist.

C.N. Liew’s profound calligraphy practice has garnered him numerous art awards, including Seoul Calligraphy Biennale Special Prize Award in 2005. Liew was also privileged to make acquaintance with great masters such as Ju Ming, Chu Teh-Chun and Gao Xingjian, from whom he absorbed their insights and elevated his art practice. The directors of Plum Blossoms strongly believe that C.N. Liew is taking calligraphy into the future, and is undoubtedly a rising star in the world of Asian contemporary art.

Exhibition Opening Date:  8 April 2011 (Friday), 6:00-8:30pm