Hung Liu

I have two very different palettes when it comes to art. While I enjoy very abstract and messy art with no rhyme or reason for its existence except that it just matriculated from someone's subconscious immensely, I absolutely adore very refined works of art whose creator approached the canvas with such meticulous attention to detail and refinement that it literally leaves you awestruck.  Big words aside - I like it neat and I like it sloppy!

Two very conflicting approaches are they not?

So what happens when Sir Sloppy Joe meets Queen of Painstakingly Precise?

You get one of my favorite artists that's what!

Hung Liu:

"Peaches"

I first discovered her work in college while nodding off in one of my many art history courses... give me a break, I worked full time and always carried about 18 credits. I was exhausted 98% of the time. I always sat in the front row too... and I always aced my papers. True credit really must go to my professor, she is a genius. Her lectures always managed to reach the far recesses of my mind, even while I was unconscious. Now, back to Hung Liu...

"Concession" ... maybe, I had a really hard time finding this photo... 
Concession may be the title of the show it was in.

I love the duality of her work. Of how it can at once be both chaotic and yet perfectly organized. Liu emigrated from China in  1984 and was one of the first Chinese artists to study in the U.S. Her works represent the ongoing tension between emigration and immigration and often make use of anonymous Chinese historical photographs. Her subject matter focuses primarily of women, children, refugees and soldiers.

"Leaf Picker III"

"The Menders: Mother and Daughter"

"Da Fan Che Lotus State III"

I found another version of the same painting. She always
seems to go back and add or change things... brilliant.

"Baby King"

Liu's works are usually VERY large, drippy (which I LOOOVE), and are washed with layers and layers of linseed oil. Focus on all the details! Fall in love with the messy! Her work is absolutely FAB-U-LOUS!

"Golden Rain"

I couldn't find the title... all my notes said were "Jeanc"

Her works are just mesmerizing and the colors are simply beautiful. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do! 

Cheerio!