Kai Liu – Artist Biography
Kai Liu is a Chinese-Canadian artist based in Vancouver, BC, renowned for his expressive depictions of abstract landscapes. He utilizes painting, printmaking, and mixed media to explore the interplay between observed nature and imaginative imagery. Born and raised in China, Liu developed his artistic skills through formal academic training in his early years. His journey eventually brought him to Canada, where he initially worked as a graphic designer in Ontario. Later, finding his artistic home in Vancouver, he pursued printmaking at Langara College. Liu furthered his education by earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) and a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) from Emily Carr University. During his MFA program, he was influenced by both traditional Chinese art and Western art, exploring their integration through techniques, aesthetic philosophies and materiality in his contemporary practice, resulting in a unique blend of cultural influences. His work has been showcased throughout Canada, reflecting his unique artistic approach and diverse influences. (source: https://liu-kai.com/)
刘凯 – 艺术家简介
刘凯是一位居住在卑诗省温哥华市的华裔加拿大艺术家，以其对抽象风景的生动表现而闻名。他通过绘画、版画和混合媒介，探索观察到的景物与想象中的意象之间的相互关系。刘凯生于中国并在那里长大，在早年的学术训练中打下了扎实的艺术基础。后来，他的艺术之旅将他带到了加拿大，最初在安大略省担任平面设计师，随后在温哥华找到了自己的艺术归属，并在兰加拉学院学习版画。之后，他在艾米丽卡尔艺术与设计大学完成了艺术学士（BFA）和艺术硕士（MFA）学位。在攻读硕士学位期间，他受到中国传统艺术与西方艺术的双重影响，通过技术、美学理念和材料的运用探索两者的融合，并将其融入到当代艺术实践中，形成了独特的文化交融风格。他的作品曾在加拿大各地展出，展现了其独特的艺术方法和多元文化影响。（来源：https://liu-kai.com/）
Kai Liu – Unforeseen Clouds
Artist Statement
This body of work is an extension of my exploration of the “meaning” and “appearance” of landscapes during my graduate studies. The central theme of this series is clouds, which frequently appear in traditional paintings and literature as symbols of transformation and fluidity. These works reflect my thoughts on “change” and “continuity” during my journey of immigrating to Canada and pursuing an art life, as well as my reflections on past experiences. Formed by the interplay of earth, water, fire, and wind, clouds constantly move between the tangible and the intangible. They contain energy influenced by internal and external factors, shifting with temperature, light, and visibility changes. This illustrates my journey of studying and living in Canada. Much like the ever-changing clouds, I have journeyed through different cultures and environments, finally finding my place in Vancouver. This experience has helped me discover my identity. In this series, clouds represent adaptability and a broader perspective beyond everyday existence, capturing my reflections on personal dreams, challenges, and aspirations.
In this series, I use an abstract approach to depict the transformations in nature, particularly the shifting forms of clouds and their integration with other natural elements. I draw upon traditional Chinese aesthetics and philosophy, adopting a non-figurative depiction that combines Eastern artistic concepts with contemporary exploration. I gradually develop my way of expression as an independent artist. I strive beyond mere representation, pursuing an artistic connection grounded in intuition, sensory experience, and imagination.
– Kai Liu 2024
刘凯 – 艺术家陈述【痴云】
【痴云】系列延续并拓展了我在研究生期间对景物“意”与“象”的探索。云作为这一系列的核心意象，象征着变幻与流动，在许多传统画作和典籍中频繁出现。同时，它也直接反映了我在移居加拿大的过程中，对“变”与“不变”的深刻思考。云由地、水、火、风等自然元素共同作用而生，在无形与有形之间不断转换。云中蕴含着巨大的能量，受到内外力量的推动，在冷暖、明暗、隐现的交替中应缘而变。这与我在加拿大的求学与生活经历相呼应——如同云卷云舒，在不同的情境与文化间游历、交织，最终在温哥华扎根，并在融合中逐渐找到自己的形态。云在我的作品中，不仅象征着适应性，更代表了一种超越日常视角的广阔视野，承载着我对个人梦想、挑战与现实反思的表达。
在这一系列中，我运用抽象的手法来呈现大自然的变化，尤其是云的变幻及其与其他自然元素的相互融合与成就。我借鉴了传统中国美学与哲学观，采用非具象的表达方式，将东方艺术理念与当代艺术探索相结合，逐步构建出作为独立艺术家的个人表达方式。我的创作意图是超越表象的描绘，追求一种基于直觉、感官与联想的艺术共鸣。
– 刘凯 2024
Kai Liu – Curriculum Vitae
EDUCATION
2024 MFA, Emily Carr University of Art + Design, Vancouver BC, Canada
2022 BFA in Visual Arts, Emily Carr University of Art + Design, Vancouver BC, Canada
2020 Fine Arts Diploma, Langara College, Vancouver BC, Canada
2013 Graphic Design Creative Studio Diploma, Mohawk College, Hamilton ON, Canada
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2025
Alumni Kai’s Solo Exhibition, Emily Carr University Alumni Gallery, BMO Theatre, Vancouver BC, Canada
2024
Seaside Compositions, This Gallery, Vancouver BC, Canada
Coastal Reverie, Visual Space Gallery, Vancouver BC, Canada
2023
Untitled Vancouver Sceneries – Featured Artist Show, Art Rental & Sales at the Vancouver Art Gallery, Vancouver BC, Canada
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2024
Mini Group Exhibition 2024, Wallace Galleries, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Winter All Members’ Show, Dundarave Print Gallery, Vancouver BC, Canada
Launch Pad,The City of Vancouver Public Art Program – Artwork Billboard, Vancouver BC, Canada
The Show, Emily Carr University, Vancouver BC, Canada
Kindred, MFA Thesis Exhibition, Emily Carr University, Vancouver BC, Canada
2023
The State of Practice Interim Project Exhibition, Emily Carr University, Vancouver BC, Canada
Reception, 76 Miller Street, Toronto ON, Canada
The VIBGYOR Show, ECU Neighbourhood Gallery, Emily Carr University, Vancouver BC, Canada
2022
Pressed Together, Emily Carr University, Vancouver BC, Canada
Art 4 Life 2022, Port Moody Arts Centre, Vancouver BC, Canada
Connecting the Dots Print Exchange, Emily Carr University, Vancouver BC, Canada
Grad Show 2022, Emily Carr University, Vancouver BC, Canada
Emerging Print Exhibition, Dundarave Print Workshop, Vancouver BC, Canada
Luminous Light, Luminous Travels, Luminous Tales, Emily Carr University, Vancouver BC, Canada
2021
Opus Explore Virtual Gallery, Vancouver BC, Canada
Print Pulse 30: National Undergraduate Printmaking Exhibition, Queen’s University, Kingston ON, Canada
Unfolded Langara Fine Arts 2020/2021 Graduation Exhibition,
Langara College, Vancouver BC, Canada
2020
Grit Studio – Lifestyle Coffee Art Gallery
Late to the Party Art Exhibition, Vancouver BC, Canada
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Printmaking and Mixed-media Painting Workshop, Gibsons’ School of The Arts, Gibsons BC, Canada, 2024
Teaching Fellowship, Emily Carr University of Art + Design, Vancouver BC, Canada, 2023
Artist Talk, Art Rental & Sales at the Vancouver Art Gallery, Vancouver BC, Canada, 2023
Research Assistant, Emily Carr University of Art + Design, Vancouver BC, Canada, 2023
Teaching Assistant, Emily Carr University of Art + Design, Vancouver BC, Canada, 2022
Painting Instructor, Green Apple Art Center, Vancouver BC, Canada, 2022
Curation, the “Late to the Party” Art Exhibition, Vancouver BC, Canada, 2020
Workshop, Artwork Documentation Photography, Langara College, Vancouver BC, Canada, 2020
Exhibition Design, Make Believe: The Secret Library of M. Prud’homme Library, A Rare Collection of Fakes Exhibition, Vancouver BC, Canada, 2019
Studio Assistant, Fine Arts Department, Langara College, Vancouver BC, Canada, 2018 – 2020
Graphic Artist, Mohawk College, Hamilton ON, Canada, 2015 – 2018
SCHOLARSHIPS / AWARDS
Alvin Balkind Memorial Scholarship, Mr. Gerrit J. Te Hennepe, Emily Carr University 2021
Linda Janitis Memorial Scholarship, Ms. Laura Wears, Emily Carr University 2021
Honorary Studio Award 2020, Langara College Fine Arts 2021
Scott Plear First Year Drawing Scholarship, Langara College Fine Arts 2019
Source: https://liu-kai.com/