Hong Liang

Your floral series captures quiet, intimate moments of everyday life. What draws you to these small, fleeting scenes as your primary subject matter?

These tiny, fleeting scenes are essentially the embodiment of time and life. I have always believed that truth reveals itself in the minutiae. The blooming and withering of delicate flowers, and the fleeting moments of tranquility in daily life, are just like those easily overlooked yet most precious instants in our lives. Though seemingly ordinary, these scenes hold the most authentic rhythms of life, and that is the core reason they captivate me.

Hong Liang | Wrist Blooms Tender | 2024

How has your academic background in Fine Arts and Aesthetics shaped the way you observe and translate daily life into your artwork?

My Bachelor’s and Master’s studies in Fine Arts equipped me with the techniques and aesthetic logic, while my doctoral research in Aesthetics provided me with a more systematic theoretical perspective. This academic grounding has taught me to view daily life through an aesthetic lens. For instance, the books and teacups on a daily desk are not merely decorative elements in a scene, but witnesses to the passage of time. Academic training has allowed me to move beyond merely depicting scenes, and instead focus on exploring the emotions, concepts and aesthetic value behind everyday objects, achieving a transformation from the mundane to the poetic.

Your works often feel serene and contemplative. Is there a particular emotion or atmosphere you aim to evoke in viewers?

I have always sought to convey an emotion of serene healing through my works, and to create a unique atmosphere where time slows down. Much like the tranquil scenery of the British countryside, my pieces are understated yet possess a soothing power over the mind. I hope that when viewers stand before my works, they can feel as if wandering through a misty morning field or sitting quietly by a window breathing in the fragrance of flowers, finding inner peace and engaging in introspective dialogue with themselves.

Hong Liang | Sunlit Window & Lilies | 2024

Having worked in an auction house, museum curation, and university teaching, how have these diverse experiences influenced your artistic practice?

My diverse professional experiences have infused my practice with multi-faceted inspiration:​

In university teaching, my students’ innovative approaches to deconstructing natural forms inspired me to integrate distorted forms with artistic charm, lending my works a more contemporary edge.​

My museum curation experience taught me to embed narrative details in my pieces，such as placing pens or books alongside flowers，turning each artwork into an unsolved narrative puzzle that encourages viewers to actively explore its layers.​

Meanwhile, my academic research and auction house work allowed me to deepen my understanding of the narrative logic and aesthetic core of artworks from ancient to modern times, enabling me to forge a personal style through cultural integration between tradition and modernity, East and West.

Hong Liang | Peony Reverie | 2024

Many of your characters and scenes are bathed in sunlight. What role does light play in your storytelling?

I see light as the emotional catalyst in my storytelling. For example, in my work Lilies, the sky light filtering through the window and the warm orange tones create a cozy, gentle atmosphere that conveys a sense of joy and contentment. Similarly, across my other pieces, the presence of light makes flowers and figures feel as if they are gently embraced by time.

Hong Liang | Orchids With Crimson Fruits | 2024

Could you describe your creative process? Do you begin with a memory, an emotion, or a visual impression?

My creative process has no fixed starting point，inspiration can be sparked by visual impressions, emotional reflections, or past memories:​

Sometimes, concrete visual moments like bamboo shadows by a window or indoor flowers directly ignite my creative urge.​

At other times, abstract thoughts about the passage of time or the joys of daily life emerge first, and I then seek out carriers such as flowers or figures to materialise these ideas.​

There are also occasions where cherished memories serve as the hidden source of my inspiration.​

Once the starting point is confirmed, I first conceptualise the composition, atmosphere and narrative logic of the piece. I then conduct material experiments with quartz sand mixed with acrylic to create a textured ambience, while embedding metaphorical details like books or fountain pens. Ultimately, through multi-dimensional dialogue with my inspiration, materials and subject matter, I transform my inner thoughts into tangible visual works.

Hong Liang | Mediterranean Air | 2023

What do you hope viewers take away from your floral series and your broader artistic practice?

I hope viewers gain dual value from my works:​

First, in this fast paced life, they can find spiritual healing and tranquility through the serene atmosphere and quartz sand texture of my pieces.​

Second, through the blooming and withering of flowers and everyday scenes, they can reflect on the essence of life, cherish the present moment, and discover the beauty in ordinary life.​

I wish my works to act as a bridge connecting individuals and the world, allowing viewers to find inner peace through aesthetic experience and foster greater harmony between themselves and society.