Raised in the water-scarce northwestern regions of China, Liu Jiutong developed a lifelong longing for the rivers and canal towns of Jiangnan, making water one of the defining motifs of his artistic practice. This striking contrast between his childhood environment and the lush landscapes of the south profoundly shaped his artistic imagination and enduring emotional connection to water. 

In his Water Town series, Liu departs from descriptive realism in favor of a bold, semi-abstract visual language inspired by the innovative spirit of the Shanghai School. Through this expressive approach, familiar landscapes are transformed into lyrical evocations of memory, longing, and the poetic essence of place.