Jian Liu, born in Shanghai in 1961, was accepted into the People’s Liberation Army Academy of Art at the age of eighteen, a rare opportunity for aspiring artists. At twenty-four, he became a lifetime residence artist of the Traditional Chinese Painting Academy of Shanghai, where he gained valuable experience in both Northern and Southern styles of traditional Chinese art. Liu settled in Canada in 1989. Liu’s paintings incorporate traditional techniques, particularly in his use of bold, flowing brushstrokes and emphasis on lines. Reflecting his education and life experiences, Liu expertly blends traditional and abstract styles, incorporating subtle touches of color to enhance the overall composition. His works have been collected by several prestigious institutions, including the Hong Kong Museum of Art, the Royal Bank of Canada in Toronto, the Bank of China in Hong Kong, and the Grand Hyatt in Taiwan and Beijing.