- The Beverly Arts
- Dec 30, 2024
Updated: Jan 1, 2025
Author : Joey Zhou
The thousand-year-old agarwood tree exudes the fragrance of orchids,
Smelling the fragrance, I recognize old friends who have returned and are laughing and talking happily;
Meeting by chance, it is prosperous, and there is also a song-like andante.
The melody gently sways beside the mortal spirit,
The rhythm is bright and powerful, beating the eardrums
Dancing, moving the body, and there are dream-like wayward steps.
The life that has not been investigated is yesterday,
The painting that has not been danced is colorful;
The friendship that has not been forgotten is in front of us,
The blood of life that has not been betrayed is connected.
Written: November 26, 2024 in Los Angeles
The Beverly Arts News is sponsored by Cynthia Clarté, MDSUN, Youben Hu Art Studio, En Guangzhi Art Studio, and The Beverly Arts Foundation
- The Beverly Arts
- Dec 29, 2024
Updated: Dec 31, 2024
Artist Tian Chen
Artist Tian Chen was born in 1990 in Hubei Province, China, and began Chinese ink painting during childhood. She graduated from the Animation Department of the School of Art and Design at Hubei University of Technology in 2012. She obtained a Master’s degree in oil painting from Hubei Institute of Fine Arts in 2016. Since graduation, she has been engaged in artistic creation and has completed over 300 artworks. She also teaches fine arts at a university in China.
Artwork by Tian Chen
Artwork by Tian Chen
Chen’s consistent dedication to art for over a decade has turned creation into a way of life. She strives to integrate traditional Chinese culture into contemporary art through her painting. In Chinese art history, scholars/artists used painting and calligraphy to convey their life wisdom and emotions, often described as "expressing aspirations through objects" and "finding solace in nature." Her series "Ancient Trees in Bloom" uses robust tree trunks and branches, symbolizing Chinese philosophical wisdom: only with deep and strong roots can one withstand storms and remain evergreen. This reflects the resilience of Chinese culture, the only ancient civilization among the four great ancient civilizations to endure to this day due to its deep foundations and vitality.
Artwork by Tian Chen
Artwork by Tian Chen
The "Mountains and Rivers of the Mind" series explores interpretations of the hexagrams in the I Ching (Book of Changes) using mixed media. Drawing from elements of traditional Chinese green landscape painting and techniques like ink splashing, Tian Chen combines Chinese painting language with contemporary materials. She seeks to find a unique, relevant presence for Chinese culture today, emphasizing the concept of "calligraphy and painting sharing the same origin."
Artwork by Tian Chen
Artwork by Tian Chen
Artwork by Tian Chen
Chen is inspired by ancient Chinese art philosophies, such as Jing Hao's notion of depicting landscapes not directly but through the impressions they leave on the artist's mind. Tian Chen travels extensively across China, visiting iconic landscapes such as Mount Everest, Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon, Namcha Barwa, Dunhuang, Qinghai Lake, and Qilian Mountains, using these journeys to enrich her creative vocabulary. Her "Ancient Trees in Bloom" series was inspired by a snowstorm in Sichuan that left her stranded in a hidden valley filled with ancient trees, untouched and majestic. Their resilience against harsh weather moved her deeply, inspiring this series that celebrates the tenacity of life.
Artist Tian Chen
Artist Tian Chen
Artist Tian Chen
Artist Tian Chen
Exhibitions and Awards:
2024: "Light and Green" Urban and Suburban Art Biennale, Gansu
2024: Art Symbiosis Sino-Italian Art Design Exhibition
2024: Solo Exhibition: Brilliant Clouds, Dalu Art Space
2023: Ancient Trees in Bloom No. 12 selected for Wusebixiang Exhibition
2023: Fourth Global University Art Fair (Wuhan)
2023: Wisteria and Orioles included in China Guardian Auctions
2022: Multiple works selected for various exhibitions, including DAF and Shanghai Youth Art Expo
2021: Works such as Kunlun and The Epic of the Galaxy featured in Wuhan Art Fair
2020: Works such as Mountains Flow Through Eternity included in Wuhan Art Fair
2019: Poppies on the Hillside featured in Guangzhou University Art Expo
2018: Public Art Exhibition at Shijianlu Academy
2016: Three Returns Outstanding Works Collection Exhibition, Hubei Institute of Fine Arts
2015: Those Times, Those Places Graduate Art Exhibition, Hubei Institute of Fine Arts
2014: Hubei Young Artists Invitational Exhibition
2013: Rising Contemporary Art Invitational Exhibition
2012: Youth Sets Sail Art Exhibition, Hubei Institute of Fine Arts
Video on artist Tian Chen
The Beverly Arts News is sponsored by Cynthia Clarté, MDSUN, Youben Hu Art Studio, and The Beverly Arts Foundation
- The Beverly Arts
- Dec 23, 2024
Updated: Dec 29, 2024
Artist Michael Janzen
Michael Janzen is an international artist whose origins are in Toronto, Canada. Janzen expresses that we are becoming a global community, enriched by the variety of cultures that creatively contribute to it. This greatly inspires the new art! At the early age of fifteen he received his first scholarship to attend the Ontario College of Art (OCAD University) sponsored by the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO). In 1977 AGO curators chose Janzen as the first of three, out of 100 artists, from across Canada to exhibit and sell their work at the AGO. In his formative years he received the attention of Henry Moore, British sculptor, who encouraged, praised and thanked him for his artwork from 1977-1986. In Canada, A.J. Casson, member of the Group of Seven, recognized, mentored, exhibited together and promoted Janzen as ‘the new generation’. Paul Duval, the famous Canadian author and critic on art stated, “Janzen is a painter of thought and with the facile of Picasso, everything he touches has spirit!” Janzen’s first Canadian Government commission in 1984, was to create four artworks that were presented to Pope John Paul II.
Artwork by Michael Janzen
Since 2000, Janzen has created numerous Live Painting Performances with live music, dance, poetry and film for AGO staff exhibitions, Varley Art Gallery, Canadian National Exhibition’s Bandshell’s concert stage, music and film festivals etc. He has exhibited in museums from Canada to South America, including museums in Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte, Sao Paulo, Brazil, representing Canadian contemporary art, with Indigenous artist Norval Morrisseau, who received the attention of Pablo Picasso in Paris. The tour also included Margie Gillis, who named Janzen ‘the painter who dances’ when she first saw his work.
Artwork by Michael Janzen
In 2006, Janzen was commissioned to create a live painting performance to which he painted to live Inuit drumming and spoken word, for the Artists’ Odysseys, The Arctic exhibition at The Varley Art Gallery, Unionville, Ontario, Canada. Janzen conceived, performed, directed and produced the documentary film made of the performance which was titled (after the painting) ‘Northern Lights’. The exhibition included the running film of the live painting performance, the painting on its easel and artifacts related to the performance.
Artwork by Michael Janzen
Janzen contributed a number of times to the AGO (Art Gallery of Ontario) annual staff exhibitions. Dennis Reid, curator at the Art Gallery of Ontario and art historian, commented on Janzen’s running live painting performance video and the finished exhibited painting of the performance, saying, “I like what I see. Performance art is the future of visual art.” Matthew Teitelbaum, Director of the AGO, (presently Director of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston), pointed out and took special interest in Janzen’s mixed media collage transformation artwork portraying David Cronenberg and Chris Farley. In 2014 Janzen exhibited at the Carousel du Louvre in Paris, France and won an award.
The same year Janzen was invited by Huang Jian Nan to be included in the ‘Asian Culture Artists Federation Shenzhen, The First Famous Painting and Calligraphy Exhibition’ (ACAA). He also contributed to their auction benefit. Janzen’s exhibited artworks, painting collaborations, cultural exchanges and national CCTV that televised the painting performance, in time to Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata, in China, brought him immediate recognition and high honours and awards from their top masters in attendance. They commented, “He is like the Buddha who paints like a warrior!” “Janzen is the bridge.” “He is a master who knows tradition and contemporary times, his work has beauty and touch.” “He is a visionary.” The televised Performance Painting, while still on stage drying, was acquired by Zhong Zheng Chaun for the Malacca Zhongzhen Chuan Art Museum in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia. Another painting was inducted by Yu Jigao for the new Government Yu Jigao Art Foundation Museum in Nanjing.
Artwork by Michael Janzen
Huang Jian Nan and Janzen made history in China and Canada when their paintings were chosen to be issued as Chinese Government postage stamps in 2014. This was the first time China chose foreigners’ artwork for their stamps. This limited edition box collection is in the collection of the Edward P. Taylor Library & Archives at the Art Gallery of Ontario, Canada and also represented at the National Gallery of Canada. In 2014, Janzen met up with Daniel Lanois outside his Toronto studio, which is up the street from Janzen’s studio. Catching up with Daniel, Janzen told him that he had just returned from his exhibition tour in China, and having his 3 paintings represented on 3 Chinese postage stamps as well as the successful exhibition at the Carousel du Louvre in Paris. As Janzen shared what happened, Lanois slowly raised his arms from his sides, and when he reached the highest zenith above his head, he proclaimed, “Does is get any better than that?!” Janzen firmly responded, “No” as they both smiled in agreement. Janzen returned to China the same year, exhibiting at Guangzhou Arts Trade Fair.
Artwork by Michael Janzen
Janzen exhibited in the Dessin Et Peinture A Leau in 2014 and 2015 at the Grand Palais
‘Art en Capital’ Exhibition in Paris, France as part of the Canadian Delegation with Eureka Global Art where he received the Golden Painting Life Oil or Acrylic award, which was endorsed by a representative of the Institut de France Acdademie des Beaux-Arts. He exhibited again in the 2016/17 ‘Art en Capital’ Exhibition at the Grand Palais. At Beijing’s International Art Fair in 2014, Anne Li, the Executive Deputy General Director of Beautiful Asset (Beijing) Art Industry Co. Ltd. entered Janzen’s work into their permanent collection. He also shared his painting practices in Huang Jian Nan’s Beijing studios and on invitation, painted his images on Chinese ceramics to great success. Janzen and Huang Jian Nan were called upon to share their knowledge on art at
Tsinghau University in Shenzhen. Janzen presented his work and lectured on Canadian Art and East -West cultural relations relative to creativity and the visual arts. The university acquired one of Janzen’s works to be included in the Tsinghau University’s permanent art collection.
Artwork by Michael Janzen
One of Janzen’s upcoming events will be a live painting performance of ‘The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald’, a homage to Gordon Lightfoot’s artistic contributions on his memorial birthday; the performance artwork will then be entered into the Orillia (Ontario) Art Gallery’s permanent collection. Orillia was Lightfoot’s hometown. Janzen’s communicative and collaborative abilities, in his various artworks and forms of expression, continue to energetically reach outward into the world, touching others in his strident search for new harmonies, unity, beauty, joy and greater purpose of living.
Exhibitions and Accomplishments
2015
In September 2015 Janzen exhibited, lectured and painted collaboratively with Chen Ben
at the Markham Civic Centre. The Mayor of Markham, Frank Scarpitti, acquired for their
Civic Centre, the collaborative painting for the Civic Centre Collection, during a cultural
exchange at the Canadian-Chinese Cultural Development of Arts Association. Janzen
received an award for his contributions.
2016
In June 2016 Rev. Dayl Shi, Abbot of Cham Shan Temple, acquired one of Janzen’s
paintings for their temple.
2017
In 2017, Janzen exhibited at the Colour Rhythm Exhibition in Toronto, Canada. Guest
speaker, Ben Woolfitts (Toronto, New York, International artist) introduced Janzen by
saying, “Janzen is an accomplished artist in numerous media, subject matters and
disciplines. His outstanding body of work and uninterrupted creativity into the unknown
makes him a trailblazer. We look forward to what he’ll do next.”
2018
In 2018, Janzen exhibited and lectured at the Exoticism and Fusion, One Belt One Road
China-Canada Art Exchange Exhibition, at the Lingnan Museum of Fine Art, Dongguan, China. Janzen was selected by Guo Runwen to participate in this group exhibition. Runwen stated that every brushstroke of Janzen has emotion. Janzen was featured in the exhibition catalogue essay referring to his Canadian art contributions. The renowned museum acquired Janzen’s ‘Paris Nocturne’ oil painting for their permanent collection. Janzen also exhibited and lectured at the Taisan Nancun, Art Gallery, Guangdong, China, which acquired a Janzen painting. He also exhibited at the Jingdezhen Museum, Jingdezhen, China from which a painting was also acquired by the Department of Cultural Affairs.
2020
In 2020, the Huronia Museum in Midland, Ontario, Canada acquired a Janzen oil painting
for their permanent collection, which is hung amongst the works of the Group of Seven and their contemporaries. Janzen’s painting was unveiled the same evening Janzen had the honour of unveiling an Arthur Lismer painting (Group of Seven member), to which he gave a lecture that revealed unknown facts and stories about Arthur Lismer.
2023
In 2023, Janzen conceived, wrote, narrated and appeared in a documentary film about the life and works of Canadian artist Thomas Vincent Phillips. Between 2009 and 2023, Janzen continuously collaborated with Danny Grossman, dancer and choreographer, between Toronto and San Francisco. Grossman was a dancer with the Paul Taylor Dance Company in New York City for many years before creating his own Danny Grossman Dance Company, in Toronto. Danny commented that Janzen’s work is “born out of movement to which he gives form and structure, that results in beautiful, powerful and emotional compositions that communicate.”
2024
In February 2024, at the Huronia Museum in Midland, Ontario, Canada, Janzen co-curated and presented new findings about Franz Johnston and other members of the Group of Seven, including associate artist William John Wood. Janzen unveiled a newly donated significant oil painting by Franz Johnston. In October 2024 Janzen participated in The 4 th Canada International Culture and Art Festival at The Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto. Janzen not only exhibited his own artwork; he also chose and curated several artists. He was one of the art consultants and lecturers for this highly successful international exhibition. During the show Janzen created 2 live collaborative paintings with renowned Chinese artist Ren Qui Liu. Janzen made considerable contributions to the show’s extensive catalogue which is now in the E.P. Taylor Library at the Art Gallery of Ontario. Janzen received the Gold Award for Oil Painting of 2024 4th Canada International Culture and Art Festival.
Video on Artist Michael Janzen
The Beverly Arts News is sponsored by Cynthia Clarté, MDSUN, Youben Hu Art Studio, and The Beverly Arts Foundation