Preface

The first time Mr. Jiali Wu attracted my attention was in a Shanghai Art Exposition several years ago. Mr. Wu is a good Samaritan with honesty, diligent and passion. In his series of works of Still Life, he managed to display some fresh visual sensation by exploiting oil paintings’ expressiveness. His works, expressing the hint of Oriental flavour while utilizing Occidental painting art’s expression, portraying the details realistically and intensively, are truly a visual grand feast. His perception and aspiring pursuit of the essence of art are the primary cause of my special interest towards Mr. Wu.

The art of oil-painting, introduced from the west more than a hundred years age, after the periods of the embryo, enlightenment, spreading and childhood, it is now entering a new era of prosperity and explosion. How to express typical Chinese arts with western oil-painting techniques, has been the ultimate task of  every Chinese oil-painting artist.

My experience through years of art popularizing  tells me that a successful artist will gain a certain position in history if and only if he has formed striking personal style with superb techniques while he can still keep forging ahead, regard arts as his lifetime career and enjoyment. Mr. Wu has already got these qualities and that is the main reason of my unbounded confidence of him. It is absolutely greatly that he can keep his head cool between the impetuous general mood, and being the kind and honest self, withstanding the loneliness on the hard art-pursuing road. He holds onto his own language and absorbs nourishment from wherever he can, constantly bringing forth new ideas to his works. Mr. Wu’s paintings are sweet but not gaudy, simple but not dry, the perfect adaptation of sense and sensibility. He has formed his unique artistic personality and charisma through his effort of persistent pursuing. And this is the reason of my particular attention paid to Mr. Wu.

Wu Jiali’s personal painting exhibition tour is to begin, meanwhile his collections of works
will be published. It is a brief summary on his past achievement and also is a brand new starting point.  The development of Chinese oil painting needs more devout artists like Wu Jiali who will create more unprecedented new schools in history. This is the future of Chinese oil painting and is also the treasure to the lovers of world arts.  I have the honor to congratulate him for the greater success.

Kwok Ho Mun
Director of Wan Fung Art Gallery