The Arts Council presents “Tree” by artist Ximeng Guo.
March 31st to April 26th
1 to 5pm Tuesday – Sunday
Artist Philosophy
My interest has been focused on a nature-based environment, sometimes spotted with traces of humans’ co-existence or ever-presence. I am fascinated with the primitive vigor in nature, its inner-disciplines behind the appearance of a multi-layered chaos, the sense of extraordinary tranquility it creates, and its reflection on a puzzled dialogue with man made efforts.
In a loose, spontaneous, calligraphic manner, my brushwork intends to examine relationship and nuances of juxtaposed elements, capture the impression of an ephemeral moment, play with the aesthetic notion of “true/real” and “false/illusive” in
visual interpretation, create an intriguing space, atmosphere, or place where you feel and breath, and potentially relate to my fragmented thoughts on how an environment or place annotates the memory, and how often our memory of the past remains solely as an atmosphere, or a place.
George Nakashima writes, “A tree is our most intimate contact with nature.” Image in forms of trees has threaded majority of works at the show. All together I hope they would transform the gallery into a one-of-a-kind forest, a distinctive surrounding that invite people to enter, contemplate, relate, and reflect.
About the Artist
Born to an artist and art educator’s family in China, Ximeng was introduced to the freehand style of Chinese brush painting at an early age. Ximeng further trained at China’s foremost art institution, Central Academy of Fine Arts, and the University of Victoria in Canada. Having played a dual role as an artist and an art researcher, she admits that her academic background in art history have fueled her art practice in all aspects.
Ximeng is an Active Member of the Federation of Canadian Artists, a Permanent Member of Chinese Canadian Artists Federation in Vancouver, and sits on the Richmond Public Art Advisory Committee since 2010. She now lives and paints in the
lower mainland, BC.
Education
2004 M.A. (Art History) University of Victoria, Victoria, Canada
2000 M.A. (Art History) Central Academy of Fine Arts, Beijing, China
1997 B.A. (Visual Arts & Art History) Central Academy of Fine Arts, Beijing, China
Solo Exhibitions
2015 TREE, New Westminster Arts Council Gallery, New Westminster, BC
2014 Beyond Tranquility, City Hall Galleria, Richmond, BC
2014 Pond of Seasons, Gateway Theatre, Richmond, BC
2014 Pond of Seasons, ArtSpace, Thompson Community Centre, Richmond, BC
2014 Shape and Shade, Leonore Peyton Salon, Place des Arts, Coquitlam, BC
2013 Skylight and Cloud Shadows, Silk Purse Art Gallery, West Vancouver, BC
2013 A place in your heart, Main Gallery, Port Moody Arts Centre, Port Moody, BC
Group Exhibitions
2015 Art Rental Show, Cityscape Community Art Space, North Vancouver, BC
2015 First Canada Chinese Arts Bridge Art Exhibition, International Arts Gallery, Vancouver, BC
2014 The Land, National Taiwan Arts Education Centre, Taipei City, Taiwan
2013 Art Party! , Seymour Art Gallery, North Vancouver, BC
2013 Canvas Unbound, Federation of Canadian Artists Gallery, Vancouver, BC
2013 Group Show of Chinese Canadian Artists Federation in Vancouver, CMC Centre, Burnaby, BC
2013 The Art of Being Together, Nikkei Museum and Heritage Centre, Burnaby, BC
2012 Autumn Salon, Federation of Canadian Artists Gallery, Vancouver, BC
2006 Roots, Remakes, Reflections: Global/Canadian Kaleidoscopes, McPherson Library Gallery, University of Victoria, BC
2005 Guest Artist Show, Master Art Centre, Victoria, BC
2002 Involved (Multimedia Exhibition), Beijing, China
1999 18th International Ink and Wash Painting Exhibition, Japan
1998 17th International Ink and Wash Painting Exhibition, Japan
1997 16th International Ink and Wash Painting Exhibition, Japan
Awards or Recognition
2014 Honorable Mention, Art Rental Program, North Vancouver Community Arts Council, BC
2014 Qualifier Award, First Canada Chinese Arts Bridge Arts Competition, Canada
2013 Finalist Award, The Art of Being Together, L’arche Greater Vancouver
Major Chinese Publications in Art History
Mei Guo Yi Shu (American Art), Hebei Education Publishing House, China,
ISBN 7-5434-5257-X, 2003.
Yi Si Lan Yi Shu (Islamic Art), Hebei Education Publishing House, China, ISBN
7-5434-5254-5, 2003.
Xing Yue Zhi Hui (Radiance of the Star & Moon: Art of the Ancient Fertile Crescent),
co-authored, Hunan Fine Arts Press, China, ISBN 7-5356-1291-1, 1997.
Exhibition Preview
