Breathtaking: A scene of the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River by Liu Guo.

　　FOR Chinese painting veteran Liu Guo, 41, art is to endow a subject with a new lease of life on paper.

　　The Jilin-born artist has devoted himself to this conviction, and this is evident in his exhibition Liu Guo and The Three Gorges, on at Chijmes.

　　It features his recent paintings, which capture breathtaking scenes of The Three Gorges of the Yangtze River and other famous mountains of China.

　　To depict the living, breathing majesty of the waterfalls by the banks of the Yangtze River, he sailed its 200-km length day in and day out for months.

　　He did this so that he could immortalize on paper the myriad perspectives of overhanging mountains and the gentle lapping of water on his sailing boat in the changing light of day.

　　To ensure he would be free from distractions, he hid in a rented cottage in a nearby village, allowing no one to see him except a friend who provided him his meals. He spent at least 14 hours a day bent over his work.

　　Such is the dedication of Liu, who started painting when he was six and who, at 10, was granted permission o paint portraits of Chairman Mao because of his exceptional talent.

　　He holds the positions of principal and senior artist at Changbaishan Art Academy, visiting professor of the College of Fine Arts, Beijing, and art director of the New Era Arts Center of Singapore.

　　The exhibition is at Chijmes, Level 2, Caldwell House, 30 Victoria Street. It will be on until Jan 11,from 11 am to 8 pm. Admission is free.

　　2005年01月29日 THE STRAITS TIMES “LIU GUO EXHIBITION”

　　H12 ∣HOME THE STRAITS TIMES FRIDAY JANUARY 28,2005