Liao Meilan
Taiwan, 1961
Artist's works
Artist Introduction
A proud spirit despite poverty
hunched over and walking slowly
Introduction and Experience
Liao Meilan blends the rigorous modeling foundations of Western painting with the vigorous and unrestrained brushwork of traditional Chinese ink painting. With a worldly realism and exquisite realistic techniques, she portrays the kind, simple, hardworking, and resilient figures of the lower and middle classes, expressing concern for the fate of all beings and questioning the meaning of existence. Her work is strikingly impressive. She hopes to guide everyone to find the most primal emotions amidst today's dazzling torrent of art.
With a worldly realism and exquisite ink painting techniques, she sincerely portrays the kind, resilient, hardworking, and simple grassroots figures of the lower and middle classes. She integrates lines, ink, and color into symbolic representations in her works, attempting to express profound and sincere emotions with the fewest possible symbols. Her recent works employ a technique of overall freehand brushwork and detailed realism, using the spirit of freehand brushwork to guide the techniques of realism, attempting to discover the richness and complexity of human emotions under specific conditions and at specific moments through painting.
Exhibitions and Awards
2014 Inaugural Exhibition of Female Calligraphers from Both Sides of the Strait, Beijing, China.
2014 Grand Exhibition of Female Calligraphers from Both Sides of the Strait, National Tainan Living Art Center.
2014 International Color Ink Painters' Touring Exhibition, Spain.
2014 Joint Exhibition of International Color Ink Painters Association, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology.
2014 Art Revolution Taipei (A.R.T.), Taipei World Trade Center Hall 3.
2014 "100 Celebrities. Charity Auction," Taipei World Trade Center Hall 3.
2014 "77th Taiyang Art Exhibition," National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall & Taichung Cultural Affairs Bureau.
2014 Taiwan New Creation Art Association Exhibition, Taoyuan Cultural Center & Hakka Cultural Hall.
2013 Bronze Medal, Ink Painting, 76th Taiyang Art Exhibition.
2013 Solo Exhibition: "Floating World, Vicissitudes" (June), National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall Yixian Gallery.
2013 "76th Taiyang Art Exhibition," National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall.
2013 "International Color Ink Hat Art Grand Exhibition," Taichung City Dadun Cultural Center.
2013 Cross-Strait Sutra Copying Exhibition, Kuala Lumpur, Kaohsiung, and Luoyang.
2013 Publication of Floating World, Vicissitudes: Collection of Liao Mei-Lan's Works.
2012 "New Creation Art Association Joint Exhibition," Taoyuan Cultural Affairs Bureau.
2012 "International Color Ink Mask Art Grand Exhibition," Taichung City Dadun Cultural Center.
2012 Essay: "Thoughts on Viewing 'Spiritual Light of Ink Painting'" Published.
2012 Paper: "Compassionate Aesthetics in Ink Painting Creation" Presented at Seminar.
2011 2nd Place, Writing Category (Teachers Group), Taipei City Chinese Language Competition.
2011 Solo Exhibition: "Floating World, Vicissitudes" (April), NTNU Dequn Gallery.
2011 "Cleft and Transformation of Ink—Cross-Strait Ink Innovation Exhibition," National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall.
2011 Doctoral Dissertation: "Floating World, Vicissitudes..." Presented.
2010 1st Place, Writing Category (Teachers Group), Taipei City Chinese Language Competition.
2010 "International Color Ink Humanistic Art Grand Exhibition," Taichung Cultural Affairs Bureau.
2009 Solo Exhibition: "Facing · Life Care" (May), National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall Deming Gallery.
2009 Solo Exhibition: "Looking Back at the Desolate Place" (January), NTNU Library.
2009 Paper on "Modern Ink Painting Trends" Published in Tzu Chi University Journal.
2008 Excellence Award, Ink Painting, 71st Taiyang Art Exhibition.
2008 Outstanding Student Award, NTNU Doctoral Program.
2008 "71st Taiyang Art Exhibition," National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall.
2008 "International Color Ink Ecological Art Grand Exhibition," Taichung Cultural Center.
2007 Excellence Award, Ink Painting, 70th Taiyang Art Exhibition.
2007 Solo Exhibition: "Attachment" (May), Howard Salon.
2007 "70th Taiyang Art Exhibition," National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall.
2006 Bronze Medal, Ink Painting, 69th Taiyang Art Exhibition.
2006 "1st Contemporary Ink Painting Biennial," National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall.
2005 Excellence Award, Ink Painting, 68th Taiyang Art Exhibition.
2005 Solo Exhibition, National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall Yixian Gallery.
2005 "2005 International Color Ink Costume Art Grand Exhibition," Taichung Cultural Affairs Bureau.
2004 "Taiwan Color Ink Century Trend Grand Exhibition," Taichung Cultural Affairs Bureau.
2003 Bronze Medal, Ink Painting, 76th Taiyang Art Exhibition. (Note: Year likely inconsistent with other Taiyang dates.)
2003 "International Color Ink Banner Exhibition," Taichung and International Tour.
2002 Excellence Award, Ink Painting, 65th Taiyang Art Exhibition.
2002 Solo Exhibition, Tamsui Art and Culture Center.
2001 Bronze Medal, Ink Painting, 64th Taiyang Art Exhibition.
2001 Solo Exhibition, National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall Yixian Gallery.
2000 Bronze Medal, Ink Painting, 63rd Taiyang Art Exhibition.
2000 Solo Exhibition, Taipei City Social Education Center.
1999 Master's Thesis: "Exploring Conflict from the Bizarre Imagery..." Presented.
1995 National Excellent Teacher "Shiduo Award" (Model Teacher Award).
1995 Gold Medal/Special Distinction in Calligraphy, International Art Competition.
1995 1st Place, Social Group, National Calligraphy Competition.
1994 Excellence in Teaching Award, Ministry of Education.
1994-1991 Special Distinction/1st Place in Social Group, National Calligraphy Competition (Multiple Wins).