Chiu Hsiente's work represents a completely new breakthrough—a virtual revolution—in watercolor expression, combining watercolor's transparency and washes of color, the lyricism of ink painting, and the layering and color saturation of the oil medium. Viewers are often amazed by the expressiveness of Chiu's watercolors and the way he has transcended the stereotypes of this medium. The flowing effects of watercolors bring Chiu's paintings alive, allowing the viewer's mind to let go and sink, relaxed, into the painting. Each viewing brings a different impression, a new experience and feeling.
In September of 2010, Chiu Hsente's first European exhibition, in Paris, attracted two hundred collectors, artists, and art-lovers to participate in the opening day activities.Chiu Hsiente's watercolors are a genuine blend of Western and Eastern aesthetics. This is an artist who can no longer be strictly associated with either Eastern or Western art, but who uses his watercolors as the ideal medium through which to express his global artistic vision.
Chiu has had to overcome some difficult challenges in his quest to use pure watercolor. His working method involves making a series of attempts, in which he may be defeated time and again, until he finally produces a work he considers successful and satisfactory—even if it means that out of ten or even twenty paintings only one is an achievement that meets his standards. It is difficult to imagine that such magnificent works have been produced in watercolor since the era of William Turner.
Some will ask, why not paint in another medium? Chiu will answer that no other medium allows him to create the same effects, and that there are too many difficulties and unpredictable risks in trying to preserve oil or mixed media works in good condition. Chiu therefore uses only the finest French paper (Arches 300 pound) and pure British Newton Watercolor pigments in his work to achieved his creative effects and the desired quality of preservation. He insists on using the newest acid-free adhesive bonding (Bienfang Colormount) to mount his works on acid-free mat board (Rising Museum Board), Chiu's purpose in adopting these advanced mounting techniques has been to ensure that from creation to preservation, each of his works will meet the standards of permanent art museum collections.
Today, almost anything can be found in the booming contemporary art scene—maneuvering at art auctions, showy works full of flash but lacking substance, and a focus on the new and strange but with no depth or meaning. Among those, works that bear repeated viewing and genuinely reach and comfort the heart are few indeed. But Chiu Hsiente's work is like a sweet spring flowing through the dry desert of contemporary art. His magnificent paintings give our souls an open window, and have similarly injected new life and strength into the dull, arid world of contemporary art.
