Artist Statement
I paint with the conviction that there are universal humanistic values to life, principles that I grew up with and that are inherent to many societies, which are important to express in my work. Values such as achievement and benevolence, for example, play an important role in my art, because they are at the core of our existence.
Mankind’s universal struggle with life is also theme in my work. We all confront the questions: why are we here, and what is our purpose in life? The innate strength that we possess to overcome our difficulties is fascinating. Everyone struggles with profound moments of change, such as for example, the death of a loved one. This is not different for me; however, I
choose to express my struggles by creating images that are rich with meaning. This creates purposeful tension in my work.
My paintings are not mere images. They are layered with content, which can be both seen and felt. A curator at a
Los Angeles art institution once referred to my work as “hauntingly beautiful”, which touched the essence of my work.
My work is rooted in the ancient tradition of Chinese ink painting. My paintings are created with natural materials, ink on paper, using century-old techniques. I often make several sketches before I make a painting. It is a process that may take
up to several months to complete.
I prepare my materials by hand so that I have full control over my ink and colors, which is necessary for achieving intricate brushwork. I sometimes refer to my paintings as visual poems, because they contain similar intrinsic tension as poetry.
I aim to inspire the viewer of my paintings, not only to see the beauty of the image, but also experience its full meaning.
I paint with the conviction that there are universal humanistic values to life, principles that I grew up with and that are inherent to many societies, which are important to express in my work. Values such as achievement and benevolence, for example, play an important role in my art, because they are at the core of our existence.
Mankind’s universal struggle with life is also theme in my work. We all confront the questions: why are we here, and what is our purpose in life? The innate strength that we possess to overcome our difficulties is fascinating. Everyone struggles with profound moments of change, such as for example, the death of a loved one. This is not different for me; however, I
choose to express my struggles by creating images that are rich with meaning. This creates purposeful tension in my work.
My paintings are not mere images. They are layered with content, which can be both seen and felt. A curator at a
Los Angeles art institution once referred to my work as “hauntingly beautiful”, which touched the essence of my work.
My work is rooted in the ancient tradition of Chinese ink painting. My paintings are created with natural materials, ink on paper, using century-old techniques. I often make several sketches before I make a painting. It is a process that may take
up to several months to complete.
I prepare my materials by hand so that I have full control over my ink and colors, which is necessary for achieving intricate brushwork. I sometimes refer to my paintings as visual poems, because they contain similar intrinsic tension as poetry.
I aim to inspire the viewer of my paintings, not only to see the beauty of the image, but also experience its full meaning.
Bio: Lan-Chiann Wu received her BFA -with highest honors- from the Chinese Culture University in Taipei, Taiwan. She holds a MA from New York University’s
Fine Art Department and, resides in Granada Hills, CA where she has her studio. Lan-Chiann has exhibited and lectured on the subject of Chinese ink
Painting in the Los Angeles area, San Francisco, and well as in New York, Taiwan and Japan. She has received numerous prizes and awards, and her work has been exhibited and collected in Taiwan, the Netherlands, Japan and in the USA. Lan-Chiann has demonstrated the art of Chinese Ink Painting in Taiwan and New York, and appeared on an award-winning CD-ROM “The Paths Dreams Take”, Japanese art from the Collection of Mary Griggs Burke at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
http://www.thetranquilstudio.com
recent interview: http://www.meetmeinnewyork.com/en/meet-lan-chiann-wu
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| Lan-chiann at her moment of inspiration |
