Maude Ren – Artist Biography
I am a multimedia artist originally from Fujian, China, now living in Richmond, Canada since 2023. I graduated from Quanzhou Dongfeng Art School in Fujian, China in 1999. My art practice encompasses drawing, painting, photography, and video. I have participated in numerous solo and group exhibitions in China. My first show, titled “The Starry Night of Quanzhou” was held in my hometown Quanzhou. Last year, I participated in a group show, “The City of Treasured Gods: Quanzhou Art Collective Exhibition.” During this time, I created multi-material works using local natural materials such as oyster shells and colored clay. Notable pieces include “Rising Dragon,” “Heritage Maritime Silk Road Scroll,” and “Nine-Dragon Wall of Quanzhou,” which garnered significant attention both online and offline, with related reports in the media. I have also been commissioned by various institutions and companies to create public art. In addition, I work in graphic design, creating logos and mascots for multiple organizations and companies. My self-created series “Wobbly Neck Quanzhou People” has been featured in newspaper and TV interviews multiple times and has been licensed for commercial use by several companies, including well-known Chinese enterprises such as Poly Real Estate and Peak Group. This series has also become a cultural icon of Quanzhou Old Town. I have received awards for both my art and design work, and some of my pieces have been collected by private collectors and companies.
任莫德 – 艺术家简介
我是来自中国福建的多媒介艺术家，自2023年以来居住在加拿大列治文。我于1999年毕业于福建省泉州东凤美术学校。我的艺术实践包括绘画、设计、摄影和视频创作。我曾在中国参加过多次个人和群展。我的第一次展览名为《泉州星月夜》，是在我的家乡泉州举办。去年，也参加了《泉州宝藏众神之城》：泉州艺术家集体联展。期间也利用当地的自然材料如海蛎壳、彩泥，创作了多材质作品《巨龙崛起》、《申遗海丝长卷图》和《泉州九龙壁》等大型作品，这些作品在当地都掀起不小的热度，线上线下都有相关报道。我还受多家机构和公司委托创作公共艺术。此外，我还从事平面设计工作，为多家机构和公司设计logo和吉祥物。其中自主创作的《歪歪脖子泉州人》系列，多次登上报纸和电视的采访报道，并被多家企业授权商用，其中包括中国央企保利地产和匹克集团这样的中国知名企业，此系列也成为泉州古城知名的文化标签。我在艺术和设计方面都获得过奖项，并且我的一些艺术作品和设计作品被个人收藏家和公司收藏。
Maude Ren – Artist Statement – The Charm of Roots
This series of works is themed around the abandoned tree roots (driftwood) commonly seen along the Canadian coastline, showcasing the beauty that has endured the ravages of time in nature. These tree roots, like weathered elders, stand resiliently on this land with unique vitality. Their forms and textures seem to tell stories of time, with each groove recording the marks of years gone by. Through nature’s baptism, they have been sculpted into works of art, exuding a primitive and profound beauty.
These tree roots are not only natural sculptures but also symbols of life. Their shapes resemble the faces of people who have experienced the ups and downs of life, radiating calmness and composure. Like faces that have weathered the storms of life, the tree roots demonstrate resilience and endurance amidst nature’s elements. They also resemble blooming flames, displaying the brilliance and passion of life. Each tree root is a symbol of vitality, harbouring tenacious life force even in their seemingly exhausted state, representing the power of rebirth.
The presence of these tree roots leads me to ponder the meaning and essence of life. As the German philosopher Martin Heidegger said, “The essence of being human is poetic, and one should dwell poetically on this earth.” Only when one is close to death can the meaning of life be profoundly understood. These tree roots remind us that although life is short, the strength and beauty it contains are eternal. Through this series of works, I not only witness the miracles of nature but also feel the resilience and poetry of life. In these abandoned tree roots, I find a reverence for life and a deep affection for nature.
任莫德 – 【根韵】
这组作品以加拿大海边随处可见的废弃树根 (漂木) 为主题，展现了自然界中历经沧桑的美。这些树根如同饱经风霜的老者，以独特的生命力屹立在这片土地上。它们的形态和质感仿佛诉说着时间的故事，每一道纹路都记录着岁月的痕迹。经过自然的洗礼，它们被打磨成一件件大自然的艺术品，呈现出一种古朴而深邃的美感。
这些树根不仅是自然的雕塑，还是生命的象征。它们的形态如同人们在经历人生起伏后的脸庞，散发出淡定与从容。就像一张张饱受人海沉浮后的面孔，树根在大自然的风雨中展现出坚韧和耐力。它们也如同绽放的火焰，展现出生命的灿烂与激情。每一根树根都是生命力的象征，即使在看似枯竭的状态下，依然蕴藏着顽强的生机，象征这向死而生的力量。
这些树根的存在让我陷入了对生命的意义和本质思考。正如德国哲学家马丁·海德格尔所说: “人生的本质是诗意的，人应该诗意地栖居在大地上。” 唯有在无限接近死亡时，才能深刻体会生命的意义。这些树根提醒我们，生命虽短暂，但其中蕴含的力量和美丽是永恒的。通过这组作品，我不仅看到了自然的奇迹，也感受到了生命的韧性和诗意。在这些废弃的树根中，我找到了对生命的敬畏和对自然的深情。
Maude Ren – CV
EDUCATION:
1997-1999 Diploma in Painting, Quanzhou Dongfeng Art School
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
2023 The City of Treasured Gods: Quanzhou Art Collective Exhibition, Quanzhou Maritime Museum, Quanzhou, Fujian, China.
2022 Millennium of the Song and Yuan Dynasties, Coastal Fengchen, Quanzhou Nanyi Square, Quanzhou, Fujian, China.
2021 Under the Kapok Tree, Quanzhou Nanyi Square, Quanzhou, Fujian, China.
2021 Under the Kapok Tree, Quanzhou Donghai Wanju Square, Quanzhou, Fujian, China.
2020 My City of Light, Quanzhou Nanyi Square, Quanzhou, Fujian, China.
2019 One HAO Quanzhou, Quanzhou Wanda Square, Quanzhou, Fujian, China.
2018 Let The Dragon Soar, Wanda Square, Quanzhou, Fujian, China.
2017 The Starry Night of Quanzhou, Wanda Square, Quanzhou, Fujian, China.
PUBLIC ART
2019 The Rise of the Giant Dragon, Wanda Square, Quanzhou, Fujian, China.
2015-2016 The Eighteen Views of Qihui Wendu, Xinmen and Suqing Square Quanzhou, Fujian, China.
AWARDS
2021 Bronze Award, Quanzhou Cultural and Creative Design Competition, Quanzhou, Fujian, China.
2017 Second Place, The First Exhibition of Calligraphy in Licheng District, Quanzhou, Fujian, China.
2014 Silver Award, East Asian Cultural Capital Logo Collection, Quanzhou, Fujian, China.
COMMISSION (MURAL)
2020 Paulownia Carp-Shaped Image, Mural, commissioned by Quanzhou Culture and Tourism Bureau, Quanzhou, Fujian, China.
COMMISSION (DESIGN)
2023 Wai Wai Neck Quanzhou Person Edition 2, Commissioned by Quanzhou Hujian, Investment Co., Ltd., Quanzhou, Fujian, China.
2022 City Gate Dialogue, Commissioned by Quanzhou Culture and Tourism Group, Quanzhou, Fujian, China.
2022 Protest Life of Quanzhou People, Fujian Provincial Copyright Bureau, Quanzhou, Fujian, China.
2019 Wai Wai Neck Quanzhou Person Edition 1, Commissioned by Quanzhou Ancient City Renovation, Quanzhou, Fujian, China.
2017 Quanzhou Folk Figures Edition 2, Commissioned by Tenghua Nori Limited Company, Jinjiang, Fujian, China.
2016 Quanzhou Folk Figures Edition 1, Commissioned by Tainting Jewelry Co. Ltd., Jinjiang, Fujian, China.
2016 Wai Wai Neck Quanzhou Person Edition 1, Commissioned by Poly Real Estate Co., Ltd., China.
2016 Logo Design, Commissioned by Quanzhou Bicycle Sport Association, Quanzhou, Fujian, China.
2012 Postcard Design, Commissioned by Quanzhou Postal Letter Bureau, Quanzhou, Fujian, China.
任莫德 – CV
教育
1997-1999 绘画专科毕业, 泉州东凤美术学校
展览
2023 “众神之城：泉州艺术联展”，泉州海交博物馆，中国福建泉州。
2022 “宋元千年，濒海枫宸”， 南益广场，中国福建泉州。
2021 “刺桐树下”，南益广场，中国福建泉州
2021 “刺桐树下”，泉州东海玩聚场， 中国福建泉州。
2020 “我的光之城”， 南益广场，中国福建泉州。
2019 “一个HAO泉州”，泉州万达广场，中国福建泉州。
2018 “让龙飞起来”，泉州万达广场，中国福建泉州。
2017 “泉州星月夜”，泉州万达广场，中国福建泉州。
公共艺术
2019 “巨龙崛起”，泉州万达广场，中国福建泉州。
2015-2016 ”泉州齐绘文都十八景“、新门 和 肃清广场，中国福建泉州。
获奖
2021 泉州文化创意设计大赛铜奖，中国福建泉州。
2017 泉州鲤城区首届书法展二等奖，中国福建泉州。
2014 东亚文化之都标志征集银奖，中国福建泉州。
定制（壁画）
2020 泉州文旅局委托创作的《刺桐鲤形图壁画》 ，中国福建省泉州市旅游局。
定制（设计）
2023 “歪歪脖子泉州人第二版”，泉州壶见投资有限公司 中国福建泉州。
2022 “城门对话”，泉州文旅集团委托， 中国福建泉州。
2022 “泉州人民抗疫生活”，中国福建省版权局， 中国福建。
2019 “歪歪脖子泉州人第一版，泉州古城改造委托 ，中国福建泉州。
2017 ”泉州民俗人物第二版“，腾华紫菜有限公司委托 ，中国福建泉州。
2016 ”泉州民俗人物第一版“，天兴珠宝有限公司委托， 中国福建晋江。
2016 ”歪歪脖子围脖泉州人第一版“，中国保利地产委托。
2016 ”标志设计，泉州市自行车运动协会委托，中国福建泉州。
2012 “泉州印记“明信片设计，泉州邮政信函局委托，中国福建泉州。