Jiu Mu

       Jiumu Studio Name: Ruyi Studio; graduated from Xi'an Academy of Fine Arts; Council Member of the Calligraphers Association of Central Government Organs; Committee Member of the Professional Committee of Painting and Calligraphy Talent, Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security; Research Fellow of the Central Institute of Cultural History Painting Academy; Vice President of the Chinese Ink Painting Research Society; Member of the China Women Painters Association; Special Appointed Painter of the National Ethnic Painting Academy; Tutor of the National Painting Research Class at the Cultural Ministry Art Center; Tutor of the Advanced Research Class on Seal Script at Renmin University of China.

      In 2019, she was awarded the title "China's Most Collectible Painter and Calligrapher." Her works are collected by the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, the National Archives, the National Museum, and dozens of foreign embassies as well as Chinese and international friends. She has held solo exhibitions multiple times in South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Beijing, Guangdong, Guangxi, Shenyang, Qingdao, Yangzhou, and other places.

      Her ink paintings have been repeatedly published in national core professional journals such as Xinhua News Agency, People's Daily, "Fine Arts," "Fine Arts Newspaper," "Chinese Painter," and "China Culture Daily."

      Artistic Commentary:

      Jiumu’s path to art seems different from that of many artists. Most artists turn their gaze toward life only after embarking on an artistic career—meaning that, for the majority of artists, life serves art. Jiumu, however, is different: she initially loved art purely, in a way where art and life were seamlessly integrated. Although Jiumu had dreamed since childhood of becoming a painter, it was a unique turning point that truly led her to become a professional artist, and from that moment, she could not stop pursuing painting. In other words, for Jiumu, art serves life—because she needs art to soothe her severely wounded soul, to balance the purity of her spirit, and to avoid becoming lost in the muddy ocean of life. This raises a profound question for reflection: Does life serve art? Or does art serve life? Or perhaps both? Or even require layered transformation and progressive elevation?

      Jiumu enjoys reading literary works and is passionate about deep thinking, constantly using creatively constructed painting narratives to explore the relationship between herself and the external world. Reviewing Jiumu’s legendary journey of "art and life," French writer Romain Rolland wrote in his biography of Michelangelo: "There is only one heroism in the world: to see the truth of life and still love it." This quote may perfectly encapsulate Jiumu’s attitude toward art and life, and she often repeats this sentiment. More precious still in life is the ability to respond to life’s impermanence with equanimity and aesthetic sensitivity—perhaps this is precisely Jiumu’s new mission. (Dr. Zhang Kunpeng, Aesthetics, Communication University of China)