Christian Lu’s Exhibition “From Dong Yuan to Cezanne”

Tribute to Lu You

《Tribute to Lu You》 by Christian Lu  : A Work Filled with Poetry and Emotion

Through this painting, Christian Lu not only pays tribute to his ancestor, the renowned poet Lu You (陆游), but also seeks to share his vision of family heritage and cultural transmission. This artwork was exhibited at the China Art Museum in Shanghai, the painter’s hometown, once again highlighting his deep connection to his roots.

Visual Language and Atmosphere of the Artwork

From a visual perspective, Hommage à Lu You is an abstract painting dominated by shades of purple and blue, with intense and nuanced colors. Purple symbolizes mystery, depth, and nobility, while blue evokes serenity and vastness. The interplay of these colors creates a dreamlike atmosphere, transporting the viewer into a spiritual realm beyond reality.

The composition of the painting is centered on mountains and clouds, with sharp and defined mountain ridges, while the clouds are rendered with soft brushstrokes, creating a visual effect that combines movement and tranquility. This artistic technique recalls the depictions of nature in Lu You’s poetry, particularly his admiration for and contemplation of mountainous and aquatic landscapes. Lu You’s poetry often uses nature to convey deep reflections on life and the homeland. In a similar way, Christian Lu responds to this spirit through his visual language.

Cultural and Family Significance of the Artwork

As a descendant of the Lu family, Christian Lu’s creation is not merely a personal artistic expression; it is also a continuation and homage to his family’s heritage. Since its foundation by Lu Jigong, the Lu lineage has spanned over two thousand years and has produced many distinguished figures. Lu You, one of its most illustrious representatives, left a lasting impact through his poetry imbued with patriotism and deep emotions. Through this painting, Christian Lu expresses his respect for his ancestor while integrating the spiritual essence of his family’s culture into his artistic creation.

This cultural transmission is metaphorically represented in the painting. The mountains symbolize the foundations and continuity of the lineage, while the clouds illustrate the perpetuation and elevation of its spirit. The harmony between purple and blue reflects both a contemplation of family history and an aspiration toward the future.

Connection Between the Artwork and the Exhibition Theme

The theme of the exhibition Dreams of Clouds – Christian Lu Art Exhibition resonates deeply with the atmosphere of this painting. Yunmeng (Clouds and Dreams) refers to the vast marshlands of the ancient Chu kingdom, symbolizing the grandeur and mystery of nature. Through its colors and composition, the artist’s work recreates a universe similar to Yunmeng, celebrating both the beauty of nature and the family’s cultural heritage.

The exhibition highlights the profound connections between art, nature, history, and culture. Hommage à Lu You vividly embodies this connection: it not only honors Lu You’s poetic spirit but also serves as a bridge between family tradition and artistic renewal.

 

 

 

Blue artwork – 2015 – 150×150 cm

This blue artwork was created by the Sino-French artist Christian Lu (陆永安 Lu Yong’an） in 2015 in his Parisian studio. It was exhibited in 2016 at the National Museum of China during the “East to West – Christian Lu’s Painting Exhibition.” Below is an overview of the background of this creation, its artistic characteristics, and its status and influence in the art world:

Background of the Creation

  • Artist Background: Christian Lu is a Sino-French artist whose works are deeply influenced by both Chinese and Western cultures. He draws inspiration from traditional Chinese culture while constantly exploring and innovating within the French artistic environment.
  • Creative Vision: Christian Lu’s works often merge Eastern philosophical thoughts with Western abstract expression techniques, aiming to use art to reflect on the universe, nature, and humanity. This blue artwork likely explores the symbolic meanings of blue, such as tranquility, depth, and infinity, as well as its significance in different cultures.
  • Era Background: Created in 2015, this piece emerged during a time when the global art scene was increasingly focused on cross-cultural creations and abstract art. Christian Lu’s works during this period were likely influenced by this trend, seeking to break cultural boundaries through art and promote cultural exchanges between China and France.

Artistic Characteristics

  • Use of Color: The artwork is predominantly blue, evoking a sense of serenity and depth. Various shades of blue intertwine, transitioning seamlessly from light blue to deep blue, creating a harmonious and layered visual effect.
  • Composition and Form: The overall composition conveys a sense of flow and dynamism, as if the blue paint naturally flows and blends on the canvas. This composition breaks away from traditional symmetry and balance, showcasing a free and spontaneous artistic style.

Status and Influence

  • Artistic Value: As one of Christian Lu’s representative works, this piece exemplifies his unique style and profound skill in artistic creation. It not only demonstrates his sensitivity to color and form but also conveys deep philosophical reflections, giving it significant artistic value.
  • Cultural Exchange: In the context of cultural exchange between China and France, the exhibition of this piece fostered mutual understanding between the art communities of both countries. It provided French audiences with a window into contemporary Chinese art while allowing Chinese audiences to appreciate the unique expression of a Chinese artist in a Western artistic context.
  • Artistic Influence: Christian Lu’s creative vision and artistic practices have had a positive impact on other artists, encouraging further exploration of cross-cultural art. His works have offered new perspectives and possibilities for the development of abstract art, enriching the diversity of global art.

Tribute to Bada Shanren

Christian Lu (Lu Yong’an – 陆永安） believes that forms of art such as painting, music, literature, and philosophy do not exist in isolation. They are often created within specific socio-cultural environments. This statement highlights the close connection between artistic works and their social and cultural contexts, as well as the profound influence of the artist’s inner qualities—such as vision, depth, emotions, and universal love—on the value of their works.

The Close Connection Between Art and Socio-Cultural Contexts

Artistic creations cannot be separated from the socio-cultural environments in which they are born. These environments provide rich sources of inspiration and material for artistic expression. For example, the unique style and emotional expression of Bada Shanren’s paintings are closely linked to the turbulent historical background of the late Ming and early Qing periods. Bada Shanren, a descendant of Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang of the Ming Dynasty, personally experienced the immense upheaval of his country’s downfall. This experience deeply influenced his art. His works often feature images of fish and birds “looking up to the heavens” or solitary and twisted pine trees and rocks, which are not merely depictions of nature but also external expressions of his emotions and spirit.

The Influence of the Artist’s Inner Qualities on Their Works

Christian Lu emphasizes that the artist’s vision, depth, emotions, and universal love can enable their works to transcend time and space, endowing them with eternal vitality. This suggests that the inner qualities and spiritual pursuits of artists are key factors that allow their works to go beyond the limitations of their time and resonate with audiences across eras. For instance, Christian Lu himself maintains a deep connection to the essence of Chinese culture in his creations, striving to combine the essences of Eastern and Western art to create works of universal value. His works not only showcase the inheritance of Chinese culture but also resonate with different civilizations, cultures, and contexts through the inclusiveness and universality of art.

The Significance of Christian Lu’s Ink Painting “Tribute to Bada Shanren”

Christian Lu ‘s ink painting “Tribute to Bada Shanren,” collected by the National Museum of China, reflects his respect for and continuation of Bada Shanren’s artistic achievements. Bada Shanren is a significant figure in the history of Chinese art, known for his distinctive style and profound emotional expression. Through this painting, Christian Lu not only expresses his admiration for Bada Shanren but also demonstrates his deep understanding and innovative interpretation of traditional Chinese art.

This work not only shares stylistic similarities with Bada Shanren’s art but also connects with it on a spiritual level. By employing his unique artistic language, Christian Lu reinterprets the artistic spirit of Bada Shanren, giving the painting a flavor that is both traditional and contemporary. This combination of heritage and innovation makes “Tribute to Bada Shanren” not only a work that honors tradition but also an artistic masterpiece with great significance for the modern era.

 

D’Est en Ouest n°5 (Musée National de Chine)

 

L’œuvre “D’Est en Ouest n°5” (huile sur toile) de l’artiste sino-français Christian Lu, conservée au Musée national de Chine, combine l’essence de la peinture de paysage à l’encre chinoise et de la peinture à l’huile occidentale, illustrant la fusion et le choc entre les arts de l’Est et de l’Ouest.

En regardant l’histoire de la peinture de paysage à l’encre chinoise, celle-ci remonte à la dynastie Tang, il y a environ 1 300 ans. Elle met l’accent sur l’évocation de l’atmosphère, l’harmonie entre l’encre, les traits et la nature ainsi que la culture humaine. Quant à la peinture à l’huile occidentale, elle trouve son origine au XVe siècle, il y a environ 600 ans, et privilégie le réalisme, la lumière et l’utilisation des couleurs.

Dans “D’Est en Ouest n°5 “, Christian Lu utilise une palette de couleurs unique et un style d’expression abstrait pour fusionner habilement les caractéristiques de la peinture orientale et occidentale. La partie supérieure de l’œuvre est dominée par des teintes de rose, rouge et violet, créant une atmosphère chaleureuse et dynamique, rappelant l’accent mis par la peinture occidentale sur les couleurs et le traitement des ombres et lumières. La partie inférieure, quant à elle, est principalement composée d’un dégradé de bleu, évoquant une sensation de tranquillité et de profondeur, similaire à l’expression de la sérénité et de l’immensité dans la peinture de paysage à l’encre chinoise.

La ligne de démarcation centrale semble être un pont entre deux cultures, reliant l’Est et l’Ouest. Elle reflète la profonde compréhension et la perspective unique de l’artiste sur la fusion culturelle. L’ensemble de l’œuvre est empreint d’une tension dynamique et d’une expression émotionnelle, traduisant les sentiments et les idées de l’artiste, tout en respectant et innovant sur les traditions artistiques asiatiques et occidentales.

À travers cette peinture, les spectateurs peuvent ressentir le choc et l’harmonie visuels entre différents éléments culturels, ainsi que les émotions et pensées transmises par l’artiste.

Zao Wou-ki and Christian Lu

In February 2024, Christian Lu especially traveled to Hangzhou for the exhibition “The Dao of Wuki, Zao Wou-ki’s centennial Retrospective exhibition” at the China Academy of Art. This is the largest monographic exhibition held in China ten years after his passing, a grand event impressive enough to soothe his spirit in the heavens. The spirit of Zao Wou-ki has now returned to the land of China.

In 2022, the National Art Museum of China, in Beijing, held the exhibition “Dreams of Clouds” and acquired the work “A Century of Wou-ki” (painted in Paris in 2021 to celebrate Zao Wou-ki centennial).

In 2024, the Shanghai Chinese Art Museum, hosted as well the exhibition “Dreams of Clouds” and acquired the work “Tribute to Zao Wou-ki” (painted in Paris in 2015, presented in 2016 at the National Museum of China within the exhibition entitled “East meets West”).

 

 

Visit of Abbot Juexing (Jade Buddha Temple)

In December 2024, Christian Lu (陆永安) welcomed abbot Juexing (觉醒) at his Shanghai workshop.

The Jade Buddha Temple in Shanghai holds from now the artpiece Montagnes Jaunes : Impressions.

Christian Lu would states that “through art, one does simply  transcribes the link between humans and nature.”

Promoting International Shanghai import Expo

“The Resonance of the Olympic Spirit and Visual Arts”

The year 2024 marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France. The Paris Olympics leave behind a precious legacy, a new milestone in the history of human civilization, symbolizing mutually beneficial exchange and cooperation.

During the Olympic Games, the “Beijing-Paris” event took place under the Eiffel Tower, and today, during the Shanghai International Import Expo, the “Paris-Shanghai” program has been recorded on the Huangpu River. This fills me with deep emotions.

As a visual artist with 30 years of experience in China and 40 years in France, through my learning, life, and creative work, I have had the privilege of observing both Eastern and Western civilizations through the lens of art history. I have been able to grasp the greatness of Chinese civilization, particularly the “spirit of image” from the scholars of the Song dynasty, which once illuminated the world. This “spirit of image” is also at the core of the exploration of abstraction in contemporary Western art. From Fan Kuan to Cézanne, from Zhu Da (Badashanren) to Van Gogh’s works, we can clearly observe the common quest for visual art and the shared aesthetic values across cultures.

In this era of China’s cultural renaissance and the building of a shared destiny for humanity, it is essential for an artist to embrace the world and create works that carry noble spiritual meanings and universal values, capable of resonating with different civilizations, cultures, and contexts.

Regarding art, I firmly believe that the form of expression is not the most important thing. What matters is the sincerity with which one expresses their emotions, the way one conveys aesthetic ideas, and the ability to transmit a worldview and the spirit of our time that inspires positive energy.

I wish the seventh edition of the Shanghai International Import Expo great success, with fruitful results. We have witnessed the importance of this event in further promoting China’s high-level economic opening and stimulating global economic growth. The Expo is also a platform for cultural exchange and the sharing of ideas, demonstrating China’s sincerity and openness to cooperation and a shared future with the world.

At this moment, I am reminded of the revolutionary pioneers such as Zhou Enlai, Deng Xiaoping, and Chen Yi, as well as the artists Liu Haisu, Xu Beihong, Lin Fengmian, Yan Wenliang, and Zhao Wuji, who all once journeyed from Shanghai to France. It is here, on the banks of the Huangpu River, that generations of Chinese sought ideals, brought back what they had learned, and offered it to their motherland. I am deeply grateful to our ancestors and to this beloved land, Shanghai, my hometown!

I will continue to strive to share through my works the decades of artistic exploration and practice, proving that an artwork can be created around the spirit and emotions of Chinese culture, thus making a modest contribution to the arts.

Dreams of Clouds at the Art Museum of China – Shanghai

January 2024 : Exhibition of Christian Lu entitled “Rêves de Nuages” (Dreams of Clouds) at the Art Museum of China in Shanghai.

In 2024, the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and France is to be celebrated.

Among the paintings that are showcased, many of them are tributes to the Chinese masters who guided him along the way before he left China for France.

The entire universe of Christian Lu is made of dreams and imaginary landscapes.

Press conference – 2023

As the auction of the artpiece Espérance (oil on canvas, 172 x 97 cm) from Christian Lu is about to get introduced by Poly Auction, Christian Lu has been honored to be invited as a special guest by Meta Museum of China Media Group. He has shared his experience, his apprenticeships with well-known Chinese calligraphy masters and how, as a Chinese born artist who delved into European culture, he has been searching for a pictural language that could resonate within us all.