Bingnan Fan   范炳南

Fan Bingnan: A Pioneer in the Fusion of Eastern and Western Art

 

Fan Bingnan, pen name Lao Shan, was born in 1946. A graduate of Xi'an Academy of Fine Arts, he is a professional painter and antique connoisseur. His life has been rich and varied. In 1971, he became a student of Zhao Wangyun, the founder of the "Chang'an School of Painting," and in 1978, he became a student of He Haixia, a master of blue-green landscape painting. In 1989, he settled in Los Angeles, USA, serving as president of the American Lanting Painting Society and director of the Southern California Academy of Painting. He is also a member of the Shaanxi Provincial Research Institute of Culture and History, an honorary member of the Shaanxi Provincial History Museum, and president of the Dongcang Drum and Music Society.

 

Building upon the spirit of the Chang'an School of Painting, Fan Bingnan boldly experimented, integrating Western painting concepts to form a unique "Lao Shan symbol." He founded modern deconstructivist painting and contemporary ink painting with a new freehand style. His works possess a transcendent scope and lofty realm, giving viewers a sense of unbridled expression and a broad perspective.

 

Fan Bingnan's works are not merely a continuation of traditional Chinese culture and calligraphy and painting, but also a profound understanding of "artistic conception" and a pursuit of the inner world. He delved into the essence of Tang Dynasty court music, drawing inspiration from Buddhist and Taoist beliefs, and employing a unique artistic language, earning him the reputation of being "the Van Gogh and Picasso of Chinese ink painting, a new generation of overseas-returned artists."

 

More importantly, his works create a tension that transcends time and space between Eastern and Western cultures. He not only possesses diverse artistic experiences and multifaceted knowledge from all corners of the country, but also harbors a deep affection for traditional Chinese culture and history. Furthermore, he brings Western modern painting theories and practices back to China, showcasing them to the nation through his works. This pursuit is not merely a personal endeavor, but a significant contribution to the development of Chinese painting.

 

 

 

 

Fan Bingnan believes that "the new Chinese freehand style in contemporary ink painting" is not only his pursuit but also a new expression of traditional culture and art by himself and a group of artists behind him. He hopes to awaken more innovative vitality in traditional culture and art through this approach, interpreting and expressing it with the thoughts and understanding of a new generation. Cultural prosperity is an outward manifestation of cultural confidence; only through mutual support can one achieve immortality. This spirit is fully embodied in the works of contemporary artists.

 

Fan Bingnan also participated in a Sino-Korean cultural and artistic exchange exhibition, the main theme of which was to showcase the beauty of Chinese ink painting. He was deeply moved upon receiving news of an exhibition to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and South Korea, to be held at the Sunac Qujiang Impression Modern Art Center in Xi'an. As a representative of contemporary ink painting art...

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