Compare and Contrast

By Kristine Kostuck
Staff Writer

On November 21, the Rourke Art Museum will have an opening for Zhimin Guan’s “Bridge: American Scene/China Scene” exhibit that will blend “traditional landscape paintings with expressionism.”

Guan grew up in the Province of Anhui, China, and his paintings feature the streets and homes of his childhood while also admiring the landscape of Fargo-Moorhead. “Both kinds of landscape define who I am,” Guan said. “I believe that artists always paint a self portrait whatever subject matter, form or concept they are dealing with.”

Near where he grew up are many historical sites and some of the most beautiful scenery is also nearby, like the Huang Shan Mountain. Many of the buildings are in a style of architecture called Wan, a form that continues to inspire architects. The beauty of these scenes allowed him to recognize Eastern North Dakota’s landscapes.

This is what inspired one of his favorite works in the show, the “Red River Snowscape.”
“I want people to see my life through these scenes,” he said. “I want them to be able to taste the scene and to think about life and beauty differently. Even the ugliness, like a winter storm, can be extremely beautiful.”

Guan hopes people recognize something beyond landscape when they look at his work. “I am lucky to have a cross-cultural experience and I want other Americans to learn about the Chinese culture, including landscape, architecture and vision,” he said. “These countries can learn a lot from each other; because they compliment each other in culture, art and philosophy.”

His childhood affected his view and ultimately established his love of art. However, he recognizes that China is changing into a “materialized, busy and unhappy society.”

Guan recalls that during the Spring Festival, or Chinese New Year, every family, rich or poor, purchased ink or calligraphy art to decorate with. “It’s the best part of the year for a child.” This inspired him to pursue an art degree.

After receiving his BFA in China in 1984, Guan taught painting and drawing at the Dalian Institute of Industrial Design. His work there included the painting “Silent Violin” which won the Gold Medal Award in the National Pastel Art Exhibition in Beijing. Guan traveled to the states to pursue an MFA degree at the University of Fort Hayes in Kansas. After graduating, he came to MSUM to be an art professor in 1998.

His work has been published nationally and internationally in art magazines, appeared in over 100 group and solo exhibitions and this number continues to grow. He has received various awards, such as the 2010 McKnight Fellowship from the Lake Region Art Council.

The Rourke exhibit will include an opening reception, for members only, on November 19, where Guan will celebrate his 48th birthday and U.S. citizenship.

“After I reached my mid 40s I started to think that I needed to introspectively find who I am and where I am going with the rest of my life,” he said. “But my paintings help me discover that more. Art is my best medication.”

Tickets are still available. For more of the artist’s work, visit the McKnight Foundation and the Walker Art Center websites.

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If You Go

What: Zhimin Guan’s “Bridge: American Scene/China Scene”
Where: Rourke Art Museum
When: Opening Reception, Sun Nov 21, 2pm
Info: 701.236.8861