On display in the South Gallery of the Columbia Art League
April 29 - May 24, 2025
Artist Statement
The brush strokes I use in Chinese ink painting come from my long practice in calligraphy of ancient Chinese characters. These artworks convey the joy of a Chinese person coming to live in the United States of America through specific animals and plants. Three years of living here have taught me how to relax and be calm, to express my love for the environment in happiness. Every friend’s pet and park animal, every local landmark, brings me a new experience and a new way to create. Animals are a mirror, and I’m trying to see the world through their eyes. The mountains, vegetation, and water in the United States are different from where I’m used to living. They give me a new space to think about when trying to depict them.
Artist Bio
Ni Kang’s artistic journey began with traditional Chinese shuǐ mò huà (水墨画, “water and ink painting”), a discipline embraced since kindergarten. Born and raised in Wuhan, she furthered her studies at the Hubei Institute of Fine Arts, where she received her BFA in Chinese traditional painting. Before moving to the United States in 2022, Ni Kang’s understanding of the West was shaped by literature and cinema. The reality of America, with its profound diversity and natural beauty, far surpassed her expectations, offering a richer, more nuanced canvas than any book or film had hinted at. This revelation fueled a transformation in her work and worldview, driving her to capture the essence of her new surroundings through the lens of her Eastern heritage. Equipped with handmade wool brushes, Chinese rice paper, and mineral pigments derived from colored stone powder and glue. Ni Kang anchors her work in the profound depths of her cultural beginnings while interlacing it with her experiences in America. This creative synthesis gives rise to a dynamic visual narrative that masterfully blends the intricacies of Chinese traditional painting with the lively and varied essence of American reality.
