Date: October 30 • 2026
End date: December 17 • 2026
Online: November 6 to December 17, 2026
Opening Reception: November 13 • 7 – 9 pm • more info
Ink and watercolour on Xuan paper in the Leonore Peyton Salon
Please note: the Leonore Peyton Salon is a multi-purpose space; therefore, viewing times are limited. Please call 604.664.1636 for viewing availability prior to your visit.
Flora, Fauna, and the Changing Year merges the ancient tradition of Chinese brush painting with bird species of British Columbia through the lens of the traditional Chinese huaniao (bird-and-flower) genre. I use ink and colour on Xuan paper in the Lingnan School style, which bridges Eastern traditions with Western aesthetics. This approach is one of four major schools of painting taught in Mainland China. I developed my own unique splash-colour and splash-ink techniques which I use to portray local birds and flowers in a new light.
Amongst the local flora and fauna depicted are the Steller’s Jay, British Columbia’s official bird; Anna’s Hummingbird, the official city bird of Vancouver; the maple leaf, the national symbol of Canada; and pine trees, the most abundant tree species in BC. I also feature the American Robin, a common sight in my Burnaby backyard, and tree squirrels, who I frequently encounter in local parks on my daily walks. I hope my work invites the viewer to look at these familiar sights through a different lens, one where East and West blend together harmoniously.