Faces

Our fourth Art competition “Faces” started in August 2023 and concluded on September 21 2023. Art Room Gallery received entries from many countries around the world: USA, Germany, Canada, Italy, France, Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Russia, Colombia, Japan, South Korea, United Kingdom, Poland, Slovakia and Czech Republic. The Faces theme in this competition included a diversity in types, styles and mediums (oil on canvas, acrylic, watercolor, pastel, charcoal, scratchboard, colored pencil, digital painting, photography). The following evaluation criteria has been used for judging the artwork: creativity, interpretation of the theme, originality and quality of art, overall design, demonstration of artistic ability, and usage of medium. Jury decided to select 115 artworks for inclusion in the exhibition. Aside from First, Second, and Third place Jury also presented Merit awards and Honorable Mention awards.

Thank you, and enjoy the exhibition!

First place

Statement:

Xiong Yanteng, a young artist, embarked on his artistic journey at the age of five. He graduated from the Oil Painting Department of the Central Academy of Fine Arts. During his undergraduate studies, he received prestigious awards, including first-class professional honors. After graduation, he pursued further studies in the United States, where he achieved numerous first prizes and top-three awards in international painting and portrait competitions. His artworks have been exhibited at national exhibitions in the United States and featured in online and solo exhibitions on several renowned art websites. Additionally, his works have been showcased in physical exhibitions in cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Beijing. Notably, his first-place portrait piece has been featured in publications such as "Artist Magazine" and "American Art Collector Magazine".

Statement:

I was born on March 22, 1956 in Témiscouata, (Quebec) Self-taught, versatile and multi-dimensional artist, from an early age I developed, for portraiture, a passion that will last for several years. During this period, in addition to having a regular job, I devoted myself entirely to my art and produced hundreds of portraits. At the beginning of the 90s, great interior and exterior changes were outlined to prepare a new artistic path. This is when oil painting and spirituality come together to give birth to a completely renewed creativity; a magical inspiration that was unknown to me until now and which will have a direct and exceptional impact on my life and my art. Whether as an artist or a teacher, my career has never stopped advancing. Over the past few years, following my numerous participations in symposia, exhibitions and competitions; I have received several awards and recognitions from my peers and the public. In addition to the workshop classes that I have been giving for over 27 years, I have also had the privilege of giving some training in Europe. My deep intention is to put art at the service of Souls, by offering you colorful and luminous works that touch Hearts. Whether as a symbolist, surrealist, visionary and, or portrait painter, my need to evolve, discover and reinvent myself leads me to a diversity of artistic movements in which I aspire to feel free. "Art is the Light of the Soul ... When I paint, I dive into the ocean of Life trying to extract its primordial essence.

Statement:

My recent series of portraits are based on capturing the subtleties of an individual. I'm not trying to make archetypes, but rather to depict a person with visible emotion. When people view my artwork, I want them to connect emotionally with the expressions depicted in these paintings and be able to relate to it in some way. Whether it is feeling fragile or proud, they should get the same feelings while looking at one of my pieces. Through portraiture, I am able to spend lots of time examining one face, creating a very intimate experience. My goal for each painting is to achieve a likeness as well as that unique thing that sets every individual apart: whether it is a look of longing or a confrontational gaze. I want each picture and its subject to be discovered slowly and understood fully.