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Description

Ding Shaoguang (widely known as Ting Shao Kuang in the West), the 79-year-old Chinese-American painter, has achieved quite a lot over the decades: founding the Yunnan school of painting, establishing himself as a world-renowned heavy-color painting artist and earning a reputation that has made him one of the most influential Chinese artists of today.

His artworks have also made him a well-known name in auction circles. In 1992, for example, his White Nights sold for HK$2.2 million ($281,796) at a Christie’s auction, breaking the then record for the highest auction price for an artwork from a living Chinese artist.

Ding has always walked a slightly different path than other Chinese artists. Although he received a traditional Chinese art education while growing up in Beijing, he rebelled against traditional styles during his teenage years.

At age 23, he moved to Southwest China’s Yunnan Province, where he taught at the Yunnan Arts University. Always looking for something new, Ding was greatly influenced by the local scenery as well as the art of the province’s many ethnic groups during his time there. Although the artist is now in his late 70s, he still tries to keep up with the latest trends in the art world, while constantly seeking ways to innovate.

丁绍光的画，清新秀美，富有诗意，国人说他的画是“装饰画”或“工笔重彩”，国外有人说他的画是“浪漫主义”和“理想主义”的结合。依我看，我十分赞同张道一教授的评价：“它是被时代呼唤出来的，反映了人类所共同的追求祥和美好的心理与愿望，不必硬要套上一个既成的外壳。丁绍光就是丁绍光，他的作品只能像黑格尔所讲的‘这一个’，是‘完满的个性’。”

一是绮丽的风光民情。
丁绍光于六十年代初，在云南工作的经历给他提供了取之不尽、用之不竭的艺术营养，他日夜陶醉于云南那绮丽的风光民情中，几乎在他至今所有的艺术创作中，都热情地表达了以祖国西双版纳和云南乡土风情为主的题材。同时，在他的独特画面中不但洋溢着喜悦与幸福，而且还渗透了当地的风俗。

二是细劲的铁线描绘。
在丁绍光的作品中，以运用中国画传统艺术中的铁线描而著称，细劲有力的铁线描贯穿了他的所有画面，而且他经常以金线或银线统一勾勒，使画面为之一亮，充满了诗一般的意境。

三是夸张的变形手法。
说到丁绍光那夸张的变形，乃是观众都钦佩的。原因有两点，其一他提倡的变形仍符合人物的解剖原理，不像有些画家一试变形，什么都走了样，甚至连关节都能逆转；其二是他的变形变得美，纤细的手臂及特长的颈部等都能让人接受。

四是绚丽的色彩效果。
法国安德鲁·帕利诺称他作品的色彩为“正如敦煌莫高窟中那绚丽多彩……”作者也说：“在现代艺术的洋洋世界里，色彩对比的运用，应千变万化，令人目眩神迷。”的确，丁绍光是一位色彩学大师，看过他作品的人，肯定第一眼就会被色彩所迷住。