Interview with Ping He — Contemporary Art Curator Magazine

My name is Ping He, I am based in Shanghai, China. I started my career in art for over 30 years. Color to me is like a symphony. Canvas is where I can unleash the power of color and let it breathe in the world.

Could you please introduce yourself and tell us how you started in the arts? and your first experience in art making?

Originally my major was fashion design, I was going on a trip to visit the minority village 30 years ago, I was attracted deeply by how vibrant and vivid the minority culture is. It inspired me to put down all my thoughts and feelings into my painting. That's how I started my art career. During the exploration, I found out using the brush stroke and the language of Chinese calligraphy helped me express my ideas and emotion in a more natural way.

How would you describe yourself and your artwork?

I really enjoy the time of being alone by myself. During the time of being alone, I can feel the energy that is flowing around me and the world. Then I put them down onto my canvas. That's how I communicate with others through my art.

Where do you get your inspiration from?

The world is very huge and the universe is vast without boundary, while people know little about it. When perceiving the power of celestial body and deities, I found the invisible Shape, Color and Light. Tremendous energy is all around. When I’m grateful with my most pious heart and having a dialogue with them, a feeling of awe arises from the bottom of my heart. It builds up endless celestial beauty and presents its power for the inanimate architecture movement for which I’m exploring and very joyful.

What emotions do you hope the viewers experience when looking at your art?

My art is about the air, the sunlight, the wind and the energy that I am feeling from the world. I hope my audience can feel them from my artwork as well.

When do you know that an artwork is finished ?

When I feel everything is in a balance.

What has been the most exciting moment in your art career so far?

Every time when I come up with a new idea or find out a new technique to express my feeling.

How long does it take to produce one work?

It depends on if it is a long term project or a short term project. For long term projects, I will go back and forth many times to get it right. it can go from month to even years. For short term projects, sometimes it only takes a couple of hours or a day.

What exciting projects are you working on right now?

Right now I am exploring the reincarnation of the life and death, yin and yang world. Everything is a cycle, the energy that goes in the cycle is really fascinating for me to explore.