Beyond the Clouds - Canada through the Eyes of Yukman Lai
University Museum and Art Gallery, University of Hong Kong, ends February 25
Chinese-Canadian artist Yukman Lai lends his landscapes a lyrical beauty and spirituality using traditional ink painting techniques. Lai has travelled all over Canada to capture the splendour of the vistas, vegetation and wildlife against the backdrop of changing seasons and different times of day since he moved to Vancouver in 1991.
'Besides painting them, I also take photos and make videos of them,' he says. 'I enjoy driving on the highway, looking at the beautiful scenery pass by. Sometimes I experience the magical beauty of four seasons in one day - there's lots of greens at the feet of the snow- capped mountains. There are also wild animals everywhere.'
Lai's blend of eastern and western influences is enchanting. His delicate portrayal of wild orchids was selected by Canada Post for a series of stamps in 1999.
The 58-year-old artist, who lived in Hong Kong for more than 30 years, says he has always been inspired by wherever he lives.
'Art has no boundaries or language barriers,' he says. 'It comes from life. I use what I do well to glorify the vitality and beauty of nature in Canada, the plants and animals that touch my heart. I paint wherever I go.'
Lai's latest series concentrates on trees, to the exclusion of almost all other landscape features. 'I just focus on the lines and shape of the trees and how they move,' he says. 'It's purely aesthetic.'
And there seems to be no end in sight to his artistic exploration of Canada's natural wonders. 'I always feel there's more to explore as I draw. I'll never get tired of it.
'There's always the feeling that you haven't done your best,' he says. 'So you won't want to let go - that's probably why Chinese painters live so long.'
University Museum and Art Gallery, University of Hong Kong, free.
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