Yang Xiaojian is an artist who bridges genres—those of calligraphy and ink painting, and of Chinese traditions and Western influences. The results are iconic abstract, expressionistic Chinese ink paintings with a palpable calligraphic touch.
Read MoreBorn in 1960 in Taiyuan—the capital of Shanxi province in Northern China—Yang found his artistic roots in his early upbringing. His mother, a primary school art teacher, nurtured his creativity as a child. Yang's interest in artistic calligraphy and illustrations grew intensely in the late 1970s, when he fervently taught himself by copying calligraphy and illustrations. In 1984 and 1985, Yang started to learn traditional Chinese calligraphy from the renowned calligraphers Yan Jun and Yuan Xulin.
Starting out as a calligrapher practising the cursive calligraphic style, Yang soon gained recognition by winning multiple awards in calligraphy contests across China, such as National Contest for Youth on Pen Calligraphy (1987), Yellow River International Contest for Poems, Calligraphy, Painting and Imprints (1988), First National Pen Calligraphy Contest at Levels of Province, City and Municipality (1989), and Tianya Cup International Calligraphy Contest (1990).
With a growing reputation accrued through calligraphy exhibitions in the 1990s and early 2000s, Yang also became increasingly dedicated to producing ink paintings. Works from the mid-to-late 2000s demonstrate his mastery in using minimal calligraphic strokes to create visually arresting imagery, where Western Fauvist and Abstract Expressionist influences blend perfectly with Chinese ink and wash. In Mountain Landscape山水風景 (2005), My Hometown (2007), and Hanshin Expressway 阪神高速公路 (2007), Yang recreated scenes by fusing ink, blocks of contrasting colour, and bold brush strokes. Yang's paintings not only expand the expectations of calligraphy and expressions on paper, but also present original and contemporary reinterpretations of different traditions.
Selected solo exhibitions include Yang Xiaojian: Fauvist Ink at Alisan Fine Arts, Hong Kong (2019), and Follow Your Heart at Easyhome Top Art Centre, Taiyuan (2017). His works can be found in notable collections such as the National Art Museum of China, Beijing, and Today Art Museum, Beijing.
Biography by Chelsea Ma Ocula | 2020
