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Han Xu - Dynasty, the motifs and icons
For many years, "Dynasty" continues to be the theme of the paintings of Han Xu. The motifs and icons appear in his oils and mixed-media works are his struggles, his investigation and musings on Chinese culture, its absolute royal power before the recent communist reign.
Elements such as traditional tables and chairs, the royal symbol dragon (as the emperor), royal seals and scriptures are integrated in his artworks. The bold use of red also shows his obsession in the theme because red, in China, is a colour depicting power.
Han Xu was trained in oil painting in the Central Arts Institute in Beijing from 1994 to 1996. He is currently living in Toronto, Canada.
