劉曉寧 | Liu Xiaoning
Chinese Contemporary Oil Painter, Focused on Tibetan Themes
Artist Interview: Liu Xiaoning on His Art and Life in Tibet
Artistic Vision
Liu Xiaoning (born in 1958, Ningxia, China) is a contemporary oil painter renowned for his long-term dedication to Tibetan subjects.For over fifteen years, he has lived and worked across Tibet — from temples and grasslands to remote mountain villages.
Deeply immersed in the region’s faith and natural landscape, his art arises entirely from direct observation and lived experience.
With calm and deliberate brushstrokes, Liu explores the quiet relationship between humanity, nature, and belief.
His palette, characterized by cool blues and muted earth tones, evokes the solitude, vastness, and spiritual power of the Tibetan plateau.
Through restraint and sincerity, his works capture not only what is seen but what is deeply felt — the silence that lingers behind every horizon.
Liu Xiaoning is recognized in China’s art world as “a painter with a distinctive and original voice.”
His intellectual depth and artistic integrity make him one of the most respected contemporary painters focusing on Tibetan landscapes and spirituality.
Combining realism with quiet introspection, Liu’s paintings stand apart through their emotional clarity and spiritual resonance.
Beyond painting, Liu has long been committed to philanthropy and community support in Tibet.
He has participated in numerous charity auctions, donating all proceeds from his artworks to improve living and educational conditions for Tibetan people.
To him, art is not only creation but also compassion — a way to share warmth, dignity, and hope through beauty.
Exhibitions
2011 | “Liu Xiaoning Landscape Oil Painting Exhibition”
Shanghai Exhibition East-West Gallery — Nearly thirty oil paintings showcasing his early landscape works and evolving realism.
2017 | “Past and Present Lives: Liu Xiaoning’s Tibet”
Lhasa — Nearly one hundred paintings presenting the spiritual and cultural atmosphere of Tibet; part of an international touring program.
2023 | “In That Distant Place – Liu Xiaoning Solo Exhibition”
Taihe Art Space, Beijing — A comprehensive exhibition highlighting his decade-long devotion to Tibetan subjects and emotional expression.
International Exhibition
Liu Xiaoning’s works have also been exhibited at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York, one of the world’s leading cultural institutions.
This significant international presentation further reflects the global resonance and artistic influence of his work.
Artistic Style
Liu’s art avoids spectacle and ornamentation.
Instead, he seeks the subtle tension between light and silence — the spiritual rhythm of landscapes shaped by time and belief.
Each canvas becomes a meditation on distance, humility, and endurance, revealing the timeless dialogue between man and nature.
Through his serene yet powerful brushwork, Liu continues to illuminate the human spirit, allowing viewers to experience peace, reflection, and emotional resonance within silence.
Philanthropy
Beyond his artistic achievements, Liu Xiaoning has long been devoted to helping the people of Tibet.
Through years of charitable participation, he has donated the proceeds of his artworks to support education and improve the living conditions of children and families in the region.
MAGICBEAR-ART continues this spirit of compassion.
For every painting sold from Liu Xiaoning’s Tibet Collection, USD 100 will be donated to educational and community development projects in Tibet — ensuring that art continues to bring warmth and hope beyond the canvas.
The World Art Research Society highly praised Liu Xiaoning’s artistic creativity and officially invited him to hold the “Tibetan Painting Exhibition” at Lincoln Art Center, New York, in 2017.
The invitation symbolizes international recognition of his long-standing artistic practice and spiritual vision rooted in Tibet.
In 2020, Liu Xiaoning participated in the “Fairytale - Children’s Paintings” international art program at Lincoln Art Center, supporting cultural exchange between China and the U.S.
Liu Xiaoning’s work has been collected by Mokgweetsi Masisi, the former President of Botswana.
This national-level recognition highlights the cultural value of his art and its significance in international cultural exchange.