Holiday Drawing

Liying Zhao ( 1978- ) Contemporary artist based in London Liying Zhao was born in China in 1978. She graduated from China Academy of Art with BA in 2002 and MA in 2009. She previously lived in mainland China, Hong Kong and Paris. Before she moved to London in 2019, she participated in many national exhibitions in museums, group exhibitions in different countries and areas, and a solo show in Hongkong. She specialises in creating artwork on linen, paper, and board using a variety of mediums including oil, charcoal, pastel, watercolour, Chinese ink, and printmaking. In her artworks, she integrates her life experiences, insights, and philosophical reflections. She uses butterflies, trees, stones, frames and other elements to symbolise freedom, wisdom, strong will, boundaries etc., and to express her deepest concern about environmental protection, respect and emotions and mental health. She transforms facts into fiction, into fantasy, and then back to reality. In all, her art aims to evoke a spectrum of emotions and thoughts, transcending conventional interpretations to inspire introspection and foster fresh perspectives beyond the realm of artistic expression.