Qiangli Liang Chinese, b. 1964

Qiangli Liang (1964, Guangzhou) is a painter who bridges the contemplative aesthetics of Eastern philosophy with the rich craftsmanship of Western art history. After studying at the prestigious Academy of Fine Arts in Guangzhou, he settled in the Netherlands in 1990, where he was profoundly influenced by the Hague School and the 17th-century Dutch still life tradition.

In his still lifes, Liang evokes the legacy of Old Masters such as Adriaen Coorte (c. 1664 – after 1707). Like Coorte, he opts for restrained compositions featuring a limited number of objects - such as cherries, oysters, or a single bowl - set against an atmospheric background. However, whereas the Old Masters pursued a smooth and polished finish, Liang embraces a more contemporary, impasto technique. His backgrounds are applied with broad brushstrokes or a palette knife, creating a compelling tension between the refined rendering of the subject and the spontaneity of the painterly process.

His figurative works and sculptures reflect concepts rooted in Buddhism and Taoism. The figures, often depicted with closed eyes, exist in a state of outward stillness and inward contemplation. In doing so, Liang offers a universal image of the human search for balance, a theme that permeates his entire body of work, from still life to sculpture.

In addition to being held in private collections, his work is included in the collections of organisations such as ING Bank, Unilever, and the Art Museum of Guangdong.