'The best depiction of a subject matter or event from life is not to copy it as it is, but to use abstract artistic techniques to highlight the atmosphere associated with the subject matter or event, so the viewer in the end understands the emotions linked to what the artist wants to depict.'
- Mao Wen Biao
For Mao the importance lies in the detail. To experience his paintings is to appreciate his skillful application of paint. The three dimensionality of his work seen so often in linear painting is brought to life with his distinctive painterly style.
His work is characterized by a strong and varied palette, he employs color dexterously, producing dramatic contrasts between light and dark tones. This in turn enhances the depth and perspective in his work.
Mao’s overlapping of forms create a great sense of movement, breathing life into his chosen subject. Horseracing, sporting subjects, flowers and figurative painting feature in this exhibition, all of which are obvious choices for Mao to exploit his unique style of painting.
Born in Shanghai in 1950, Mao moved to England where he trained at The Royal College of Art. He has exhibited internationally throughout his career and received numerous awards and commissions in China, Russia and London.
Indeed, London is home to three of Mao's most significant works - the first, a large mural in Holland Park which was highly commended in 1995 by Sir Hugh Casson, former President of the Royal Academy of Arts who upon seeing it described it as "…a spectacular achievement – appropriate to its setting, very skilfully painted and deserving the praise with which it has been greeted".
The second, a mural-commission in 1996 from the RAC was to mark their Centenary Year (1897-1997). This spectacular work can now be found in their Pall Mall Clubhouse; it is composed of a series of 7 panels, features 300 club members in different settings and measures a breath-taking 138 feet when joined together.
Finally, Mao was approached by the Ritz and asked to produce a large mural consisting of three panels to run up the magnificent staircase of the very opulent William Kent wing. These vast panels have been painted by Mao in tremendous detail and are filled with wonderful eighteenth century characters.
In the recent years, Mao has been working on a number of international commissions, and has completed working on the restoration of his panorama The Battle of Lugou Bridge, it is 800 meters long and was this was done in celebration of the 70th anniversary of victory of World War II, it has already been seen by half a million visitors at the Beijing National Museum of Art.