Yan Ping’s oil painting exhibition entitled “Butterflies are Free” was opened at the Times Art Museum, Beijing on 8th May, 2011. Prof. Yan specially nominated this Mother’s Day as the opening of her solo exhibition with more than 50 pieces of her new creations not only to celebrate it but also to convey a gesture that her heart is as free as that of a butterfly.

This exhibition is divided into three topics: the series of “Mother and Child”, the series of “Little Troupe” and the series of “Life Concerns—Spring”. The series of “Mother and Child” is a vivid reflection of Yan’s life as well as her daily account being a woman and a mother. Not only does she act as an observer, but also she participates in it. While the series of “Little Troupe” is different, as she objectively observes and captures the simple and real life of those country troupes without the slightest pretense or insincerity. Her depictions of the silent background after the performance, the moment before going on-stage, even the scenes of daily rehearsals elaborate her originality in art creation. She portrays “the sex” obscurely in various situations with interactions between men and women in troupes, blooms of flowers in spring and the mating itch of animals, through which she exalts their yearning, admirations and concerns for life. The reproductive and prospering power within the phenomenon of life constitutes the driving force for her creations.

As a famous contemporary Chinese painter, Yan Ping takes the living conditions of women as her theme and particularly highlights the issues of a mother and child. As well as this, she wants to express her inner world of thoughts and feelings. Though constrained visibly or invisibly by the social environment of today, she is so passionate that she will never be satisfied with being just an indifferent third party but actively dares to realize self-confession by using the first person as a narrator. Although her delicate observation and gentle exposition is quite feminine, her vertical display of strength on the canvas and her controlling power in the majestic momentum stacked with strong colors is extremely masculine.

In addition to her continuous improvement and pursuit of painting, she also lays emphasis on the display and exploration of the living status of women along with a kind of uncompromising courage and determination of being a contemporary female artist through various episodes of one’s life.

Butterflies are free as they dance and shuttle, which are the true silhouettes of Yan Ping.

Butterflies are free as Yan Ping feels free in her mind and has nothing to fear in the world of art.

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