Exile in Existence-
Liu RuiZhao's Paintings

Curator: Tony Chang

Oil painter Liu RuiZhao captures bizarre life moments in dramatic lighting. Dressed in ridiculous casual night-suits, his figures in tedious life routines are dramatized and mystified, their adolescence, hidden safely in darkness, are suddenly exposed; Gazing at viewers, they are shocked and dumfounded. Liu has magic in his visual imagination, making up his own narrative scenarios, always mysteriously attracting.

Liu RuiZhao sets his eyes on investigating the human beings instead of focusing on social issues. In his works, sharp and strong lights emphasize the major figures while details are hidden in the shadow. The way of using lights strengthens the formation of the whole picture and weakens the interruption from the details. The action of the body is frozen, reflecting a sense of ceremony. In his early works, there are strong symbolic meaning, revealing the loneliness of individuals and their inside eagerness for hope in life. His recent works have much more serious sense of mystery. The once sensible symbolism is replaced by vagueness. His paintings reduce the marks of any certain times while increase dramatic power which is lasting and deep. Some of his works remind us of the old classical paintings of last century but their spirit is contemporary and intensive.

Adolescents are Balthus' main themes, who was known for paintings of equivocal figure subjects, very young women in poses or situations that were regarded as enigmatic or suggestive or both. Often these subjects were caught between dreams and waking. Liu's adolescents are quiet in their day dreaming and with mysterious quality.

For Liu, artworks are artists' broken limbs cut from their bodies. Painting, as an independent language, is unspeakable and hard to explain. He thinks all his works carry the weight of our times and human spirits, the quality of each painting should match the significance. Liu values the meaning of his paintings rather than simply showing off his techniques. Metaphysically, his works demonstrate his ambition in building up his own universe.

His drawing procedure is a tough struggle between anxiety and depression, accompanying with nervous insomnia and thinking. He revises himself again and again on the canvas; numerous layers of drafts are hidden under the final painting.

Liu regards himself as a spectator on reality, getting involved but staying independent. His vision and commitments to his art are invaluable against today's superficial social atmosphere.
A sense of drifting apart which is flashy, dislocated and twisted has been grabbing and swallowing me these years. Like an insect crawling on sensitive skin, the feeling is uncomfortable though fading away quickly.

In today's society, I feel increasingly lonely. A sense of escaping is becoming strong and intense. I am pessimistic but haven't given up the hope of living. Absurd ideas and situations come up continuously, sometimes like walking beside abyss, sometimes ludicrous. Realizing these ideas on my canvases, I don't have particular comments. I record those ideas in my works, purely recording and not intentionally expressing anything. They reflect my whole life and thoughts.
-By Liu RuiZhao

~~~

Liu RuiZhao has his own language and thoughts in his works. On seeing his works for the first time, Balthus is the name appearing in my mind. Liu maintains the humor and atmosphere from everyday life. Where does the sense of mystery in his paintings come from? His lighting is not like lights on Rembrandt's works, which is mysterious, holy and purified. Lights on Liu works are sudden and unexpected, keeping surprises and interests from daily life.