Hong Kong artist Wang Xun-liang's third solo exhibition that kicks off on August 6th at Art Beatus Gallery presents a pieces that combine imagery of national flags of various countries with ink paintings of landscapes. The artist attempts to encourage harmonious co-existence and understanding among countries and by adding a fresh element to his usual landscape paintings by utilising images and Chinese ink painting style. He talks to Asiatatler.com about inspiration, diversifying into ink painting, overcoming his own disabilit and life as a Hong Kong artist.

Asiatatler.com: What are the "international landscapes" that you refer to in your work?
Wang Xun-liang: I strive to bring what is originally a Chinese element and cross-play it with something that can be representative various countries of the world. The landscapes of mother nature become my tools. By combining the line rendering of Chinese landscape painting and the colourful imageries of national flags, I hope to highlight harmony, co-existence and inter-dependence of the two.

AT: You began this series several years ago. What was the catalyst for the concept?
WX: China is emerging as an economic powerhouse and has become the factory of the world. Her relationships with the rest of the world are intertwined and locked together. It is almost impossible to sever one from the other. Ink painting is an essence of the Chinese civilisation and the national flags are the insignia of various countries. By putting them together, I hope to create interactions between them thus actualizing some sort of harmonious coexistence.

AT: You said that your works seek to encourage a harmonious coexistence and understanding between countries, which sounds almost idealistic. In your perspective, how would this harmony be manifested?
WX: Is harmony or disparity the trend of the world now? Is globalisation near its end meeting up harsh challenges? Personally, I think these problems can only be resolved through the strengthening of economic co-operation, dialogue and the dismantling of the mutual antagonism. I don't think it is too idealistic to wish for harmonious coexistence among countries. If all the countries are willing and determined, it will be as harmonious and pleasant as the imageries of my works.

AT: And why do you think it took you so long to complete it?
WX: I needed time to replicate the various insignia as well as to overcome the technicalities of putting colours onto the raw xuan paper (Western people usually generalise it as rice paper). There are steps that have to be done step by step and separately otherwise efforts will end up wasted. The other hindrance is my own physical disability (polio).

AT: Why did you decide to use both ink and images in these works?
WX: Ink painting is a cultural legacy of the Chinese civilisation that has undergone thousands of years of settlement. There are areas that have lost vitality and desperately in need of rejuvenation. I think only by keeping abreast with time can it maintain and continue its radiance. Luckily, ink painting possesses elements that are visibly contemporary and avant garde in nature and that can be the right catalysts to bring the eastern culture and the rest of the world together. It can on the one hand highlight its quality as a cultural element of the east and on the other hand through international exposure to bring about breakthroughs and reforms in ink painting.

AT: How do you think your theme affects people in Hong Kong?
WX: Thematically if the exhibition touches the hearts of the Hong Kong people, I will be overwhelmed. But what I aim at is to realise a conceptual idea and to introduce some new elements to ink painting

AT: What is the most difficult thing about being an artist in Hong Kong?
WX: I think the Hong Kong Government has slighted the existence of art and artists here. There are not enough venues or platforms for artists to show their works. There is also a lack of art critics and proper appreciation of fine art not to mention that it is extremely difficult for an artist to make a living in Hong Kong.

AT: And the best part about being an artist in Hong Kong?
WX: Hong Kong is a free and open metropolis. There is no limitation nor hindrance for free speech and creativity. We are indeed free to create

International Landscapes - Paintings by Wang Xun-liang runs from August 6-27 at Art Beatus Gallery, G/F, 50 Peel Street, Central.