February 9, 2009

Stevens Art Gallery exhibits drawings by Zhao Ming

SEARCY, Ark.—Chinese artist Zhao Ming may only be 13 years old, but his drawings belie his young age. More than 50 of his sketches are on display this week in the Stevens Art Gallery at Harding University.

Ming began drawing at the age of five. He currently spends up to four hours a day finding scenes to capture in pen and ink. Most of the drawings on exhibit were executed in the last two years, and many of them are completed on location. The subjects of the drawings include cityscapes, trees and rivers.

Ming works directly with the pen, without using any preliminary drawing. His primary methods of portraying light and shadow are hatching, or shading with parallel lines, and cross-hatching. A few of his drawings are washed with color as well.

Zhao Xiong, father of Ming, exhibited artwork at Harding two years ago. Now he has returned for an exhibit of his son's work. Both of the artists are to be honored in a reception on Wednesday, Feb. 11, at 4 p.m. in the Elizabeth Mason Gallery of the art and design building.

Dr. John Keller, chair of the department of art and design, says, "Many of us have displayed some of our own children's drawings on the refrigerator door. How many of us have had our children's drawings exhibited in a university gallery on the other side of the world?"

The Stevens Art Gallery is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. The public is welcome to come view this free exhibit of an amazing young artist's work. For additional information, call 501-279-4316.