China Union International Culture is pleased to present ‘Pine Rock Group – Exhibition of Liang Shunian & His Students (Hong Kong)’ from 22 January to 21 February 2018. The exhibition comprises more than 50 pieces of precious works of calligraphy and painting of world renowned Chinese painter master Liang Shunian (1911 – 2005) and recent paintings of 6 of his exceptional pupils who are members of the ‘Pine Rock Group’, including Gao Beifeng, Yang Yongan, Zhao Gang, Zhang Jin, Zhang Heping and Xu Dingyi. The exhibited works illustrates the unique spirit and meticulous brush and composition that characterize traditional Chinese landscape paintings, displaying the tour de force and invigorating imagery, while at the same time, breaking through and exploring new languages of Chinese brush. This is ‘Pine Rock Group’s 11th exhibition since their establishment and we proudly present a collection of the most extraordinary Beijing School Ink to the Hong Kong audience.

‘Pine Rock Group’ was established in 2002 and was named after a poem written by master Liang Shunian. Artists who belong to this group first exhibited collectively in June 2002, under the guidance of Liang. Liang is often praised for his modesty despite of his widely known success of his artistic achievement, he specializes in depicting Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) and pine trees, which symbolizes the noble character of literati.

Liang Shunian (1911 – 2005) was born in Beijing, and styles himself as Doucun. Liang was a professor at the China Central Academy of Fine Arts, a member of the China Artists Association, a member of the China Calligraphers Association and more. His representative works include ‘Rising Sun in Huangshan’, ‘Sea of Clouds in Huangshan’ and ‘Huangshan Valley’; and his important publications include ‘Liang Shunian Paintings Collection’ and ‘Representative Chinese Modern and Contemporary Artists: Liang Shunian’ among many. Born in 1943 in Beijing, Gao Beifeng is a research fellow at Beijing Culture and History Research Academy and a director at Beijing Qi Baishi Art Research Seminar. Gao became a pupil of Liang Shunian in 1963, and visited many famous mountains and rivers with Liang, which enabled him to profoundly study Liang’s artistic approach ‘Follow Nature. Follow Heart’. His publications include ‘Gao Beifeng Paintings Collection’ and ‘Gao Beifeng Collection’.

Yang Yongan, born in 1949 in Beijing, became the last disciple of Liang Shunian in 1992. He is a member of the China Artists Association and the associate dean of Beijing Peili Vocational Institute. Master Liang styles Yang as Jishi, and wrote the inscription ‘You Zhu Ju’ (friends of bamboo) for Yang’s studio. Liang also handed down the name of his bookroom ‘Jing Tui Zhai’ to Yang and wrote ‘Jing Tui Xuan’ for him as a best proof of their deep friendship.

Zhao Gang was born in 1954 in Beijing and became Laing’s pupil in 1971. He is a member of the China Artists Association and the associate chairman of Changping District Artists Association. His works have been widely exhibited and awarded in China and other overseas countries, including the significant and prestigious Unesco Art Bronze Award and Korean International Art Exhibition.

Born in 1958 in Beijing, Zhang Jin began learning traditional landscape painting in 1972 in Xi’an, following famous painting Su Tiqian, Chen Yaosheng and his grandfather Shen Wentao. Later he adopted xieyi style of Chang’an School under the guidance of Shi Lu and He Haixie. In 1982, he returned to Beijing and became a pupil of Liang Shunian. Praised as one of the pioneers of contemporary ink, he is currently the vice dean and professor at the Fine Art School of Hebei Academy of Fine Arts.

Born in 1959 in Beijing, Zhang Heping styles himself as Wangxi and became a student of Liang Shunian in 1982. In 1992, he participated in the reproduction of ‘Such is the Beauty of Our Mountains and Streams’, a huge and monumental oil painting in the Great Hall of the People. He is a member of the China Artists Association and the Beijing Artists Association, a director at the Culture and Art Association of Western District of Beijing, and works at Rong Bao Zhai in Beijing.

Xu Dingyi, born in 1967 in Chongqing, has followed Liang Shunian since 1993. He is an adept artist, scholar and art critic. His publications include ‘Connoisseurship of Qi Baishi’, ‘Talking about Calligraphy and Painitng by Xu Dingyi’, ‘Xu Dingyi: Collection of Landscape Paintings’, and many more. He is a member of China Artists Association, the chief editor of ‘Rong Bao Zhai’ and assistant to the chairman of Rong Bao Zhai Publishing House.

‘Pine Rock Group – Exhibition of Liang Shunian & His Students (Hong Kong)’ shows a careful selection of works that emphasize and illustrate the noble and modest character of a true artist. Master Liang Shunian and his 6 students demonstrate their uniqueness in the technique and composition of the works, yet sharing the positivity and spiritual aspirations that shape their works. Not only do ‘Pine Rock Group’ artists pay respect to their teacher Liang through this exhibition, but they also continue Liang’s teaching and endeavor in each of their artistic approach.