A highly acclaimed Chinese international female artist made an appearance at the finalist group exhibition of the 7th NTD International Realistic Portrait Painting Competition on January 21st. One of her works, titled “The Bride,” was showcased at the exhibition. She expressed her surprise and awe at the exhibition, stating that many of the works were of excellent quality, reaching levels comparable to those of the Renaissance period.
The participant is the well-known Chinese female artist Lou Chang from Canada. Lou began learning traditional brush painting at the age of 5 under her father’s guidance, later enrolling in the oil painting program at Tsinghua University for her graduate studies. She has been involved in painting creation for several decades, having received the Louvre Award from France four times since 2007 and is currently a member of the French Artists Association.
Lou mentioned that she decided to participate in the NTD competition because a friend visited her “miniature museum” at home and found that her painting style aligned well with NTD’s requirements, so the friend recommended her to participate. She submitted a piece titled “The Bride,” created 20 years ago, which she had never intended to sell and only used for her own collection. To her surprise, the piece was selected, leading her to New York to partake in the exhibition activities.
Upon arriving at the exhibition, Lou expressed her astonishment, describing the event as very successful. She noted the impressive quality of the works exhibited, many of which she found exceptional and akin to the masterpieces of the Renaissance period, affirming the success and excellence of the NTD exhibition.
Lou agreed with the aesthetic perspective of the NTD competition, emphasizing the inheritance of aesthetics from the Renaissance period. She remarked on the societal shift, feeling that the current society is lacking and distant from divinity compared to the past.
She hoped that participating in the exhibition would not only garner recognition for her work but also provide an opportunity to learn from the strengths of other artists.
Lou’s competition piece, “The Bride,” created in 2006, was inspired by films like “Raise the Red Lantern” and “The Palace.” It captures the moment when a bride unveils herself during her wedding.
Drawing on the profound history of ancient Chinese marriages, Lou aimed to depict the emotional state of girls during marriage, considered as one of life’s greatest joys. She particularly admired the bride’s red veil, inspiring her to portray it using classical realistic techniques to convey warmth and the joy of significant life events, embodying cultural and emotional elements in the artwork.
Lou’s use of classical realism in her work accentuated environmental colors over inherent colors, highlighting the importance of creating rich and nuanced color palettes rather than mere photographic representation.
Notably, one of Lou’s artworks, featuring simplicity, philosophical depth, and artistic sophistication, was infringed upon by individuals in China, who mass-produced and sold it in the market.
Despite her success, Lou humbly credited her abilities to divine inspiration. She emphasized that her artistic creations were gifts from above rather than solely her own talent, especially after embracing Christianity in the West, reinforcing her belief in divine assistance throughout her creative process.
Lou stressed the significance of faith, noting its role in distinguishing moral values and guiding behavior. She highlighted the transformative influence of faith on a person’s demeanor, promoting kindness and positivity in interactions with others.
For aspiring classical realistic painters, Lou underscored the need for deep dedication and spiritual immersion in the art form to produce exceptional works. She emphasized the importance of maintaining composure, focus, and continuous learning to nurture artistic excellence.