Artworks

Explore Xu Ming's artistic journey spanning over 50 years, featuring 21 Chinese paintings, 4 oil paintings, and 1 sketches

Guanyin Riding Dragon

1992

"Summer Lotus Pond," created in 2015, is Xu Ming's poetic expression of summer lotus pond landscapes. Lotus flowers in Chinese culture symbolize the noble character of emerging unstained from mud. Through depicting the lotus pond, the artist expresses admiration for the lotus's noble qualities and contemporary reflections on the "lotus spirit."

Guanyin Riding Dragon

Chinese Paintings

Camel Caravan in Mountains

2000

"Winter Snow Cold Plum," created in 2014, is Xu Ming's innovative interpretation of the traditional "Three Friends of Winter" theme. Plum blossoms in Chinese culture symbolize resilience and purity, and plum blossoms in winter snow particularly embody their proud spirit. Through depicting cold plum blossoms, the artist expresses admiration for resilient character and spiritual pursuit of maintaining purity in adversity.

Camel Caravan in Mountains

Chinese Paintings

Morning Dew

2010

"Jiangnan Spring," created in 2016, is Xu Ming's artistic representation of spring landscapes in the Jiangnan water towns. Jiangnan in Chinese culture represents gentle and beautiful aesthetic imagery. Through depicting Jiangnan spring scenery, the artist expresses love for Jiangnan culture and admiration for its gentle, jade-like temperament.

Morning Dew

Chinese Paintings

Landscape Journey

2021

120×60cm

Travel painting in traditional ink wash landscape, showcasing the artistic conception and sentiment of Chinese literati painting. Overlapping mountains, misty clouds, travelers passing through, reflecting the poetic dialogue between humans and nature.

Landscape Journey

Chinese Paintings

Earthly Paradise 001

2011

"Mountain Dwelling," created in 2018, is Xu Ming's contemporary interpretation of the traditional literati reclusive life. Through depicting mountain dwellings, the work expresses a longing to escape the mundane and return to nature. The artist combines the artistic conception of traditional landscape painting with modern people's pursuit of spiritual homeland, endowing the ancient subject with new contemporary connotations.

Earthly Paradise 001

Chinese Paintings

Autumn Rhyme

2019

96×68cm

Autumn scenery rendered in ink wash, showcasing the beauty of nature's seasonal changes. Warm and soft colors, smooth and natural brushstrokes, creating a peaceful and harmonious atmosphere.

Autumn Rhyme

Chinese Paintings

Western Region Scenery

2013

68x68cm

"Flock of Cranes," created in 2015, is an important work in Xu Ming's bird-and-flower painting. Unlike the solitary image of a single crane, the depiction of a flock conveys the concept of harmonious coexistence. Through depicting multiple cranes in different postures, the artist showcases the diversity of life and the harmonious beauty of the group, while also metaphorically alluding to the relationship between individuals and the collective in an ideal society.

Western Region Scenery

Chinese Paintings

Contemplation

2017

80×60cm

Classical oil painting style female portrait, showcasing the restraint and elegance of Eastern women. Delicate light and shadow treatment, stable color tone, reflecting the artist's deep insight into the inner world of the character.

Contemplation

Oil Paintings

Colorful Reflections

2013

68x68cm

"Koi 002" continues Xu Ming's in-depth exploration of the koi theme. Compared to the first work in the series, this piece is bolder in composition, with more vivid dynamic representation of koi. Through delicate depiction of the interaction between water flow and fish schools, the artist explores the dialectical relationship between movement and stillness, emptiness and solidity, reflecting the innovative expression of traditional Chinese philosophical thought in contemporary ink painting.

Colorful Reflections

Chinese Paintings

Mountain Road Riding

2020

136×68cm

On the mountain road rendered in ink wash, riders pass through, showing the harmonious coexistence of humans and nature. Xu Ming combines traditional ink wash techniques with modern themes, creating a unique visual language.

Mountain Road Riding

Chinese Paintings

Birds and Lotus Fragrance

2013

68x68cm

"Western Region Scenery," created in 2013, is Xu Ming's artistic representation of the unique natural and cultural landscapes of China's western regions. The Western Regions in traditional Chinese culture represent exotic customs and historical memories of the Silk Road. Through depicting Western Region landscapes, the artist expresses respect for diverse cultures and admiration for frontier scenery, while also reflecting contemporary thoughts on Silk Road cultural heritage.

Birds and Lotus Fragrance

Chinese Paintings

Abstract Landscape

2019

100×80cm

Abstract landscape with intertwined red and yellow, expressing the passion and power of nature. Bold brushstrokes and intense colors showcase the artist's unique perception and emotional expression of Western Region scenery.

Abstract Landscape

Chinese Paintings

Lush Lotus

2013

68x68cm

"Earthly Paradise 001" is the opening work of Xu Ming's "Earthly Paradise" series, created in 2011. The work draws inspiration from Tao Yuanming's "Peach Blossom Spring" ideal society concept, expressing a longing for harmonious living through depicting a tranquil village. The artist combines the traditional literati's reclusive sentiments with contemporary people's pursuit of spiritual homeland, endowing the ancient subject with modern significance.

Lush Lotus

Chinese Paintings

Mountains Like the Sea

2013

68x68cm

"Landscape Journey," created in 2021, is an important work from Xu Ming's late-period landscape paintings. The term "journey" refers both to the travelers in the painting and metaphorically to the artist's own artistic exploration. Through depicting the relationship between landscape and figures, the work expresses philosophical reflections on the harmonious coexistence of humans and nature, as well as insights into life's journey.

Mountains Like the Sea

Chinese Paintings

Flying Together in Harmony

2013

68x68cm

"Earthly Paradise 002" is Xu Ming's poetic imagination of an ideal living scene. Created in 2011, it continues the theme of the "Earthly Paradise" series, expressing a longing to escape the hustle and bustle and return to nature through depicting pastoral scenery. The "paradise" in the work is not only a geographical space but also a symbol of spiritual homeland.

Flying Together in Harmony

Chinese Paintings

Landscape by the Lake

2020

"Morning Path 002" continues Xu Ming's exploration of morning natural landscapes, focusing on the poetic representation of mountain paths. Through depicting the path, the artist metaphorically alludes to life's journey with its twists and unknowns, while conveying a longing for nature's tranquility. The numbering "002" indicates this is a continuation of a series, reflecting the artist's in-depth study of the same theme.

Landscape by the Lake

Chinese Paintings

Morning Song by the Lake

2020

"Morning Dew," created in 2010, is a representative work in Xu Ming's landscape series that delicately captures the changes of natural light and shadow. Through depicting the morning mist and dewdrops in the mountain forest, the artist expresses his perception of nature's serene beauty. The title "Morning Dew" refers both to the natural scene in the painting and metaphorically to the transience and preciousness of life.

Morning Song by the Lake

Chinese Paintings

Elegant Companions in Breeze

2021

Created in 2000, the Koi series marks an important turning point in Xu Ming's artistic style. Koi symbolize auspiciousness and prosperity in Chinese culture, and through repeated depictions of koi, the artist explores the possibilities of ink language in expressing dynamic vitality. This work is the opening piece of the Koi series, establishing the aesthetic tone for subsequent creations.

Elegant Companions in Breeze

Chinese Paintings

Two Geese Playing in Water

2021

Created in 1992, this work represents Xu Ming's early exploration of integrating Buddhist themes with folk legends. The composition of Guanyin riding a dragon breaks away from the traditional static depiction of Guanyin, incorporating dynamic mythological narratives that demonstrate the artist's innovative interpretation of traditional subjects. The dragon figure is powerful and majestic, forming a visual contrast of strength and gentleness with the compassionate image of Guanyin.

Two Geese Playing in Water

Chinese Paintings

Autumn View

2014

68cm × 45cm

Autumn scene of Jiangnan water town, white walls and black tiles, withered branches casting shadows, serene and poetic.

Autumn View

Oil Paintings

Artist Portrait

2023

N/A

Portrait of artist Xu Ming with his artwork, showcasing the artist's creative spirit.

Artist Portrait

Sketches

Ink Wash Landscape

2020

180cm × 97cm

Blue-toned ink wash landscape, combining traditional techniques with modern aesthetics, showcasing the grandeur of Xinjiang scenery.

Ink Wash Landscape

Oil Paintings

Landscape Mood

2016

136cm × 68cm

Modern interpretation of traditional landscape painting, layered mountains, misty clouds, profound artistic conception.

Landscape Mood

Oil Paintings

Fishing Village in Lake Tai

2011

100cm × 80cm

Fishing village by Lake Tai, boats moored peacefully, smoke rising from chimneys, depicting the tranquil life of Jiangnan.

Fishing Village in Lake Tai

Chinese Paintings

Abstract Landscape

2019

150cm × 120cm

Passionate reds and bright yellows intertwine, abstract brushstrokes depicting an inner landscape full of passion and energy.

Abstract Landscape

Chinese Paintings

Koi Pond

2018

120cm × 90cm

Colorful koi fish swimming in a verdant pond, blending ink wash and oil colors to showcase the rhythm of life and harmony of nature.

Koi Pond

Chinese Paintings

21
Chinese Paintings
4
Oil Paintings
1
Sketches