Andy Shutse Lou, MFA

Andy Shutse Lou was born and raised in Beijing, China and received a Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of North Texas, U.S.A. in 1988.

Andy blends the Chinese painting techniques and the Western art materials to create visual statements of the landscape of North America. In his work he forges a contrast between ink and colour, traditional theme and contemporary presentation. Andy has received numerous awards for his artwork and his mixed media cross-cultural landscape paintings have been exhibited and collected widely in Canada, U.S.A. and China.

Artist's Statement

"My paintings are personal investigations into the interaction between Eastern and Western culture. They express how I see and feel about my subject; how I interpret it intuitively and spiritually by using visual language.

I adapt a variety of techniques and thoughts from the West, but emphasize my oriental originality. I employ Chinese brushes, rice paper and ink, mixing with watercolour, gouache and acrylic to create visual statements of the landscape of North America. Chinese ink, the essential material of Chinese Brush Painting, remains a dominant element in my work, but vibrant colour plays an important role. I blend the old and the new to forge a contrast between ink and colour, between the ancient traditions of Chinese painting and the rapidly-changing world of Western art.

“Lifelike spirit” is the source of all great art. However, I pay more attention to the artistic forms, shapes and vitality of the objects. The purpose of my landscape paintings is not to explain the world, but rather to pursue a universal balance between nature and the artist. Art must be natural yet spontaneous. "

Contact artist by e-mail at

aalou@shaw.ca

Telephone: 250-658-9381

920 Falaise Crescent Victoria, B.C. V8Y 1A3

click here to go to Andy Shutse Lou's website