Miami, FL – April 7, 2016 – Renowned worldwide as one of China’s leading contemporary artists, Lan Zhenghui was invited by Florida International University’s College of Architecture + The Arts to kick off his U.S. tour in Miami with an art-talk for artists, students, and faculty. Lan’s presentation mesmerized the audience and included dramatic presentations of his mastery of the ancient Chinese traditions of heavy ink painting. The artist focused on the trajectory of his global career and on his personal, passionate experiences as one of the very first artists in China to spearhead the bold art movement that propelled Chinese heavy ink art with abstract expressionism.

Lan was born in Sichuan China in 1959. He graduated in 1987 from one of China’s most prestigious art academies, the Sichuan Academy of Art.  Known for monumental, large-scale abstract ink paintings, Lan’s work departs from Chinese ink traditions through his raw individualism (a rarity in China), emotional expressiveness, and physicality. Preferring a free-handed approach instead of a brushstroke, Lan launched the “power brush” movement in 2000. World Red Eye seized the opportunity to catch up with Zhenghui, who gave us a closer look into his art career and what inspires his creations.

WRE: Tell us about the “Splashing Ink” presentation at the Frost Art Museum-FIU?

LZ: The Miami event kicked off my new tour in the United States. Dr. Lidu Yi, Professor of Chinese Art History at Florida International University’s College of Architecture + The Arts, invited me to present a lecture and demonstration to the FIU students. I spoke about my career and my experiences spearheading the bold art movement that propelled the ancient Chinese traditions of heavy ink art with abstract expressionism.

WRE: How have you seen your work evolve from back in the day to now?

LZ: There are three parts in the evolution of my work: first, the Conceptual Word Installation in 1985, then 20 years of Symbol Deduction, and then followed by the Heavy Ink Painting beginning from 2001. My work is now more removed from politics and society. My work ranges from super-rationality to super-sensibility, then to super-concentration and super-depth, generating super-power. That is my super-dream!

WRE: Where do you draw inspiration from in regards to your work?

LZ: My inspiration comes from intense insecurity and deep loneliness; longing for an idea and from my perfectionism.

WRE: What is your favorite medium to work with? Why?

LZ: My favorite material to work with is paper because it follows shape which is moderately hard, and retains the mark after being soaked by water.

WRE: When are you at your most creative?

LZ: Irritation and change bring me creativity. Creativity with me is not sudden, but a gradual growth.

WRE: What are you hoping people will take away from your work?

LZ: My hope is that people will take the transparent aura and emotion of the work into their hearts. Ultimately, I want my work to bring the dynamic of hope and enjoyment, like a musical melody.

Creativity with me is not sudden, but a gradual growth.

Lan Zhenghui

WRE: Has your Chinese culture had an influence on your work? If so, how?

LZ: Chinese culture surely has influenced my art composition; moderation without extremity, leaving some leeway, balance and harmony, which can all be seen on beautiful drawings at any time. Heaven and earth, yin and yang, lingering in abstract scenes.

WRE: What advice would you give to aspiring artists?

LZ: To watch and think as much as possible as experiences and knowledge are very important. Also, one should follow their own heart, invest more than others in their own work.

WRE: What has been the most memorable moment of your art career?

LZ: The most memorable moment in my art career is a continuous thing for me. A moment is memorable when I am immersed in drawing, being recognized, accepted by the industry, admitted and respected.

WRE: What can we expect from you in the future in regards to your work?

LZ: Deeper presentations, a new smartness to my work, a greater transparency and stronger values in my art.