Liang Yi
Liang Yi, male, member of the National League for Democracy (NLD), from Wenling, Taizhou, Zhejiang Province. In 1998, he graduated from the Oil Painting Department of China Academy of Art and later pursued further studies at the Graduate School of the University of Washington in the United States. He holds a Ph.D. in Chinese Painting Theory and Practice and serves as a Master's supervisor. From 2007 to 2023, he served as the Director of the Mural Painting Department at the School of Painting, China Academy of Art.
In his paintings, Liang Yi demonstrates a contemporary consciousness, drawing inspiration from the traditional Chinese long scroll format while integrating the characteristics of contemporary installation art. His work evolves from installation painting to installation murals, transitioning from subtle elegance to subtle tranquility, and moving from Western artistic expressions to the creation of an Eastern context. On one hand, Liang Yi delves into the reconstruction of traditional temple and mural art; on the other, he strives for innovation in contemporary murals as a form of public space art. His public art projects and a series of creations that combine visual elements with spatial design for venues such as the main venues of the G20 Summit and other locations demonstrate the innovative consciousness of contemporary art creators.
The Large-scale Painting The Fate of Humanity
Materials: Acrylic, Oil Painting
Artists: Liang Yi, Lin Zhi, Miao Ling, Xue Wanting, Tang Le, Shan Feida, Xiao Qingyu, Liang Yuhan, and others.
Dimensions: 2m x 10m; 2021.
The Fate of Humanity - Artistic Reflection on Creation
Liang Yi
The large mural, composed of four interconnected scenes—The European Medieval Plague, Smallpox that Caused the Extinction of Native Americans, Spanish Flu, and The fight against COVID-19 in Wuhan—depicts human disasters both historical and contemporary, and the struggles of people against these adversities, through different perspectives in the form of a long scroll painting. It reflects natural catastrophes and human encounters across different periods, highlighting the turbulent and tragic fate of humanity. The painting The European Medieval Plague references classical European painting elements, recreating scenes from the 14th century when the Black Death ravaged central Italy, particularly the city of Viterbo. Masses of people lay dead in the streets, while terrified citizens gathered in front of the Pope's palace, seeking redemption. Doctors, dressed in bird-beak protective clothing, helplessly lamented among the crowds. This medieval plague claimed the lives of more than 25 million people in Europe. The theme Smallpox that Caused the Extinction of Native Americans illustrates the notorious event where European colonizers gave smallpox-infected blankets to the Indigenous people. Using the image of William Penn’s Treaty with the Indians (a painting housed in the Philadelphia Museum) as a starting point, the scene unravels with imagery of destroyed temples and dead bodies scattered everywhere, representing the devastation caused by smallpox, which wiped out over 90% of the Native American population, resulting in the largest genocide in history. This catastrophic event led to the destruction of the indigenous civilizations of the Americas in the wake of the smallpox epidemic. The theme of the Spanish Flu that claimed the lives of 40 million people is depicted using black-and-white documentary-style imagery, capturing the viral spread during World War I. The narrative is condensed into scenes of sending people to join the army, soldiers being sent to the frontlines, contracting the virus, and dying. The overall tone of the painting is somber, with doctors in the military camps appearing ghostly, and the sky transitioning dramatically from sunshine to ominous clouds, reflecting the abrupt changes of war. The core of the mural The Fate of Humanity is The fight against COVID-19 in Wuhan. The scenes evolve from on-site medical rescue to national support for Hubei, from fear and anxiety to inner peace, from dark clouds to the rising sun, and from swirling birds to doves taking flight. The white-coated heroes' tireless efforts light up the homes of millions, while the collective willpower of the people illuminates the Yellow Crane Tower. Through this creative reflection on history, we record the present, learn from the past, and advocate for the consciousness of a shared destiny. The piece calls for global solidarity in combating the pandemic, urging a spirit of cooperation and rejecting irresponsible attitudes of blame and finger-pointing. It promotes the establishment of a broad, united front for global pandemic control. The mural emphasizes the thematic, subjective, narrative, and public aspects of painting, both in terms of its creative approach and its visual impact.
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