高友林

Biography

Gao You Lin

Born in 1940 in Haining, Zhejiang Province, he graduated from the Oil Painting Department of Zhejiang Institute of Fine Arts in 1965. After that he all along worked as a professional painter in Gansu Artists’ Association.

In 1978 he was transferred to the oil painting department of Zhejiang Institute of Fine Arts. At that time it was the beginning of the reform and opening to the outside world in China, from which people felt the breath of transformation. His work “Illusion and Reality”, produced at that period (1985), just reflects the then situation of the generation like him. In 1988~1990 he went North Africa and Europe for an artistic investigation. This enriched his thoughts and brought him inspiration of creation as well. During the years, though in foreign land, he concentrated his more efforts on pondering over how the Chinese oil painting would get a foothold in the world, without being intoxicated with an exotic atmosphere. In 1989 his oil painting “Bridge”, at the Second International Modelling Art Exhibition, was awarded an international prize, which was the highest award in the above exhibition. He was much inspired by the honour of such a high level. This international approvement also strengthened his seeking for the art of oil painting.

In recent years his creations include three series: the first is bridge, the second, landscape painting with traditional style, and the third, portrait painting. The series of bridge belong to the seeking for philosophy. A bridge is a joint between two separated lands, and it is a kind of means of linking up. He constantly paints bridge and deepens the conception of bridge from the medium of space joint towards that of space-time joint of historical culture. In his paintings of bridge, there is always a small bridge, one end of the bridge linking up a land, while the other end leading to nihility, or to an uncertain place. In his works of this type, a small bridge, which is placed vertically, is a main picture. In a sense of philosophy, the serial paintings of bridge are an extension of the painter’s thought in his early painting “Illusion and Reality”.

He all along treats his work and art of painting with concentrated attention. He once held the post of head of the Oil Painting Department in Zhejiang Institute of Fine Arts, and made many contributions to the department. Upon his retirement from the work of administration, he has thrown himself into creation of art with all his strength, staying away from the scene of contention, and not seeking fame and wealth. He is humorous and optimistic in disposition, and rich in feeling. He is happy to make contributions with a humanitarian love. This subconciousness has been expressed in his art.