Hao Shiming (b. 1977) Big Bird Series ink and colour on paper executed in 2012 89 x 96 cm. (35 x 37 3/4 in.) LITERATURE p.85, Chinese Painting - Oriental Art Magazine,Henan Oriental Art Magazine Publication, Issue 266, November, 2012 FURTHER DESCRIPTION In the new wave of innovative Chinese painting, young artist Hao Shiming is undoubtedly one exponent of mature techniques and unique artistic language.
The Big Bird Series is Hao Shiming’s independent series apart from his paintings of people, a series that showcases remarkable visual effects. The work is centred around birds, using lines to construct the shape, which from a distance resembles the casual and dynamic sketching created by an ink brush. Those who take a closer look will be amazed by the ingenuity, as it is not only overlapping lines that form the shape of bird, but the entire image is constructed with “colour blocks” created by double-stroke lines. The elongated colour blocks are clearly layered and interlace with each other in arrangement, “weaving” the treetop that stands in the middle of the painting, as well as the bird that is busily glancing left and right. The artist uses the delicate bristles of the ink brush, which seemingly would separate and break at the movement of an animal, coupled with writhing light ink lines in the background that enhance the liveliness of the bird. The artist also uses an elegant and soft beige grey as the main colour tone so as to strike a balance with the rhythm of the linear elements, thereby rendering the boundless vitality of nature while remaining gentle and pleasing to the eye.