Shi Zhiying
Orange County Museum of Art, Newport Beach CA
Through December 31st
Article by Cathy Breslaw
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| Shi Zhiying Mars oil on cavas 78 3/4" x 78 3/4" (3 panels) 2010 |
The monochromatic large-scale
oil paintings of Shi Zhiying are a duality of the physical and the spiritual.
This Chinese born artist is
heavily influenced by traditional Chinese ink painting creating immense
landscapes of open seas, fields of grass, sand gardens and ancient sacred
structures. Zhiyng examines our
relationship with the universe in the vast vistas of basic land and seascapes
containing just enough references of water, land, gardens or structures to
indicate their forms while allowing the viewer to sense their place within the spaces. Her delicate and practiced use of the brush
in balance with the large scale of the works radiate a particular emotive atmosphere
and feeling of spirituality. There is also a feeling of loneliness and
emptiness among the works while indicating themes of time and space. Aside from
the landscapes there are also three large monochromatic black and white oil
paintings of white marble figures of Buddhas.
These figures void of arms or hands, appear as ghost-like spirits. Also
included in the exhibition is a wall installation of 100 small Buddha
watercolor paintings of ink on paper and a large oil painting of hundreds of
tiny Buddha figures. These repetitive
works as well as her Zen garden and sand ocean works relate to Zhiying’s
personal connection to Buddhism. Overall,
Zhiying’s paintings are meditative, quiet and still, while bringing the viewer
into her search for meaning and our place in the universe.
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| Shi Zhiying oils on canvas installation |
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| Shi Zhing Ocean #2 oil on canvas 2014 |
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| Shi Zhing Sand Ocean #1 oil on canvas 94 1/2" x 70 7/8" 2012 |
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| Shi Zhing Rock Carving of Thousand Buddhas oil on canvas 78 3/4" x 118" 2014-15 |
