When Mao Zedong’s Cultural Revolution came to an end in 1976, China began to open its doors to the West. During the following four decades, several well-trained and highly talented artists journeyed across the ocean to America. Landscapist Calvin Liang was among the most gifted of those newcomers.
From the time he was old enough to hold a pencil, Liang knew that he wanted to be an artist. Achieving that goal, however, would require patience and determination; it wasn’t until he was almost 40 that his dream became a reality.
By the time he was 12, Liang’s career choice seemed promising. His parents arranged for him to study art with a family friend, but Chinese politics intervened and took him in another direction. Like many other urban youths, Liang was sent to a farm, where he spent his days tending cattle. His art became an escape from that dreary work and, before long, it dawned on him that his artistic talents might provide a way for him to better his life and that of his family.
Motivated by that belief, Liang applied for admission to a program to study set design at the Canton Opera Institute.
Waves in Laguna Beach
Oil
18” by 24”
“I wanted to capture the breeze and the high waves in Laguna Beach.”
Waiting for Sail in Seattle Harbor
Oil
16” by 20”
“The warm light and shadow on the boat’s sails were my inspiration for this work.”
