CONTACTS:
• Erin Dengerink Madarang 91³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø, 360-546-9551, madarang@vancouver.wsu.edu
• Brenda Alling, Office of Marketing and Communications, 360-546-9601, brenda_alling@vancouver.wsu.edu
VANCOUVER, Wash. - The expressive paintings and drawings of artist Li Tie are on display through June 24 in the Engineering Life Sciences building at Washington State University Vancouver.
Tie was born on the eve of the Cultural Revolution in Beijing, China. His artwork reflects the traditional training he received at the Beijing Children's Palace and his lifelong exploration of his culture and identity. His paintings and drawings contain Chinese characters and images from his childhood as well as images and symbols from his current life in the Pacific Northwest.
Tie's well-rendered drawings, the bright colors, strong lights and darks create a dramatic effect. The scale of his large paintings also creates an impact. Many of his pieces have narrative elements, but they are open enough to allow the viewer to invent his own story.
Early exhibits of Tie's work in China met with controversy. His wood-block prints of rural farmers and average people struggling with daily life challenged the idealized images sanctioned by the government. Exhibits of those prints were often closed down.
Since moving to the United States in 1987, Tie has had several one-man shows. His work has been seen in galleries in N.H., Vt., Colo., Ore., Calif. and Wash. Tie holds an MFA from San Diego State University.
91³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø art galleries are open from 8 a.m. - 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Friday. Admission is free. Parking is available at parking meters or in the Blue Daily Pay lot for $3. For more information, contact Erin Dengerink Madarang at madarang@vancouver.wsu.edu or 360-546-9551.
91³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø is located at 14204 NE Salmon Creek Ave., east of the 134th Street exit from either I-5 or I-205, or via C-Tran bus service.
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