FLYING SEEDS – Hong Liu-Sertt

Flying Seeds is a painting series that tells the story of a songbird.

As the lines moved to form an image, the songbird drew itself on the blank paper and came to life. The songbird wanted to plant a forest so that it and others would have a home. On its journey, it picked up five differently colored seeds and planted each one in a different place: east, north, west, south, and center. The seeds grew into large trees, each with a unique and equally strong personality.

The core of the story begins when the little bird wants to build a home and learn to fly. Nature, which unites different personalities, is reflected through friendship and circumstances. From the general and determined need of the Ren tree to help the inspiring but quiet personality of the Zhi tree, a chain of events begins. The little bird and the trees solve conflicts together and strive harmoniously forward. The trees grow to form a forest and become a paradise for birds. The story is a depiction and test of how we can grow in harmony with people and nature. Our individual traits complement each other and help difficult times and strong emotions turn into better and happier ones.

I use a technique that combines modern and traditional Chinese painting techniques with calligraphy and seal art. The seals blend into the works and carry the story forward. The nature in my paintings is Finnish, some techniques are Chinese, and the themes are universal, connecting us all regardless of cultural background. The works are easily approachable, and the viewer can seek deeper meanings or simply relax and let their mind find its own level of interpretation. I want to create art that has something to say and reaches people beyond regular exhibition visitors.

Hong Liu-Sertti (b. 1974) graduated from the Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts and has lived in Finland for about 15 years. She has actively held exhibitions both domestically and internationally, including in the USA, China, and England. Liu-Sertti is a member of the Espoo Visual Artists.

Translated with Copilot