F2 Gallery presents Yang Liming’s solo exhibition “From Back to Forth.” Yang Liming’s abstract paintings embody elements from traditional Chinese calligraphy, and Western classical music to modern-contemporary western aesthetics, which have made his works stand out in the field of Chinese contemporary art. 

Trained in the art of calligraphy since his childhood, Yang started to utilize traditional Chinese ink brushes and techniques of calligraphy in his abstract expressions during his earlier experimentations. With Chinese brushes and Western oil colors, the numerous, almost invisible lines he paints layer after layer are based on the manor of Chinese calligraphy, which build a subtle yet strong inner structure in his works. Music is another important source of inspiration in Yang’s practice due to his family’s musical influences and his more recent passion for Western classical music. He often listens to classical music while painting in his studio. The influence of music certainly grants Yang’s paintings a sense of rhythm. 

Largely working with black, red and grey monotone color palettes, the optical illusion Yang creates with the oils give out a perception of depth and space, especially with the large-scale black monochrome paintings, as if one can move back and forth within his paintings. The thick paint almost looks transparent under light, and depending on the angle of observation and light condition, the paintings appear differently each time. 

Compared to Chinese artists who primarily work in the genre of pop art or cynical realism, Yang is more drawn to the individual’s inner spiritual and emotional world. He is trying to pursue and achieve the poetic notions in traditional Chinese ink-wash paintings with Western techniques; the lines and tones of painting are all transformed into a field of positive spirits. Yang hopes that his work ultimately brings a sense of warmth, hope and strength to his audiences.