Ray Jiang, an artist based in Houston, takes us on a visual journey through the realms of life, love, death, sex, womanhood, and dreams in his oil paintings. With a career spanning nearly three decades, Jiang’s approach seamlessly weaves elements of surrealism, minimalism, and symbolism, resulting in a body of work that transcends traditional artistic boundaries.
Jiang’s paintings are not just a play of colors on canvas; they are profound explorations of the human experience. Life’s complexities, the beauty of love, the inevitability of death, the sensuality of sex, the enigma of womanhood, and the ethereal nature of dreams—all find a voice in his art. Jiang’s fusion of surrealism, minimalism, and symbolism allows him to articulate these themes in a way that goes beyond conventional representation.
In his artistic pursuit, Jiang embraces the belief that the creation of oil paintings cannot solely rely on rational techniques. Instead, he emphasizes the importance of emotional intuition and the endowment of soul. Every brushstroke is a manifestation of his emotional and psychological state, resulting in a collection of paintings that exude an indescribable state of expression. Each artwork is a unique connection with different audiences, inviting viewers to perceive and feel the underlying emotions in their own distinct ways.
Jiang’s artistic conception and meaning are deeply rooted in a pursuit of profound humanistic aesthetics. His subjective consciousness is evident in the expressive use of color within his paintings. Every hue is carefully chosen to convey a specific visual expressiveness, creating a blurred color structure that adds layers of meaning to the overall composition. For Jiang, painting is a reflection of time, process, and the impact of life. The canvas becomes a mirror of his emotional and psychological states, inviting viewers to embark on a journey of self-discovery through his art.
Jiang’s choice of oil painting as a medium aligns with his quest for a simplified image creation process. He places special emphasis on delineating the outlines of images and characters, revealing their essence in a structured manner. The contrast of color relations within each part of the painting is not arbitrary; instead, it follows expression rules and superimposed contrast, leading to a new background structure and level of visual engagement. The result is a harmonious blend of individual tones that captivate the viewer’s attention and provoke thoughtful introspection.
In his artist statement, Jiang articulates his passion for painting over the last 30 years. He highlights his focus on deeply-felt themes and his unique approach, residing at the intersection of surrealism, minimalism, and symbolism. Jiang expresses a belief that art should reflect emotions and ideas rather than merely represent the natural world objectively. His use of color becomes an active medium for expressing personal thoughts, feelings, and internal spirit. Each of his oil paintings, he insists, has a distinct connection with different audiences, fostering a diverse range of interpretations.
Ray Jiang, the self-proclaimed ferryman of artistic expression, resides in Houston, United States. Beyond his role as an artist, Jiang holds prestigious positions as the president of the US-China Artists Association, chairman of the American Youth Ambassador Foundation, and former chairman of the Panorama China Program of the Houston International Film Festival. A graduate of the Lu Xun Academy of Fine Arts in the 1990s, Jiang pursued further studies in the United States, winning a full scholarship to St. Thomas University in 1998 and completing a master’s degree in 2002.
With almost three decades of experience in art practice and research, Jiang’s contributions extend beyond his canvases. His representative works are housed in various museums, showcasing his ability to convey profound human emotions through abstract and concrete forms. Jiang’s participation in prestigious events like Art Basel Miami and the Santa Fe Art Festival underscores the recognition and acclaim his art has garnered on the global stage.
Ray Jiang’s artistic journey is a testament to the power of visual language in conveying the depth beyond culture. His paintings serve as windows into the human experience, inviting viewers to explore their own emotions and perspectives within the vibrant strokes and subtle nuances of color.
