Artist of the day

Thursday, June 11, 2026

Artist of the Day, June 11, 2026 : Ziqian Liu, a Chinese photographic artist (#2550)

Ziqian Liu is a Chinese photographic artist based in Shanghai. Her works are all created independently with a camera and a tripod.

In her works, she combines her own body, plants, mirrors, and light and shadow to continuously explore the symbiotic state of harmony between humans and nature, which is the first theme of her work. She believes that humans are equal to other living beings in nature. We exist in the same world, breathe the same air, and rely on each other. It is in this balanced symbiosis that beauty is most fully realized. She aims to allow viewers to experience the beauty and power of life in the tranquil world she constructs.

The second theme is about perspective. Familiar objects often remain in our minds in fixed forms. However, she wants to convey through her work that observing the same object from different angles can lead to new discoveries. She uses mirrors to illustrate the multifaceted and relative nature of things, helping viewers understand the world from different perspectives. Mirrors are tools for self-awareness and introspection. Mirrors also serve as a bridge to show the inclusive and interdependent relationship between herself and the objects around her.

She rarely shows faces in her works. She believes that the silhouette in the frame can represent anyone. Different viewers will have different interpretations and imaginations about the work, which is the charm of photographic creation and the reason why photographic art attracts her. Her works have been exhibited in cities such as Shanghai, Milan, London, and Los Angeles. She has been interviewed and featured in media outlets including China Daily, ELLE China, VOGUE Portugal, and IGNANT.

© 2026. All content on this blog is protected by international copyright laws All images are copyrighted © by Ziqian Liu or assignee. Apart from fair dealing for the purpose of private study, research, criticism or review as permitted under the Copyright Act, the use of any image from this site is prohibited unless prior written permission is obtained. All images used for illustrative purposes only

Ziqian Liu

An Incidental Intersection, 2019

Reflection Series, 2019

Untitled, 2019

Circulation, 2020

Curtain, 2020

Fusion, 2020

Human and Nature, 2020

Mask, 2020

Parallel, 2020

Reflexion Series, 2020

The Parts of Body, 2020

Tulips, 2020

Reflexion Series, 2021

An Inseparable Relationship, 2021

Chair series, 2021

Passing Breath, 2021

Reflection of the Inner World series, 2021

Skin Canvas, 2021

Still Life series, 2021

The Return of Blossoms, 2021

Untitled, 2021

Light series, 2022

Pearl series, 2023

Wednesday, June 10, 2026

Artist of the Day, June 10, 2026 : Noria Muelwa Mabasa, a South African artist, sculptor, carver (#2549)

Noria Muelwa Mabasa (1938) is a South African artist renowned for her exceptional woodcarving skills. She's known for her intricate sculptures that often reflect themes of African culture, spirituality, and everyday life. Mabasa's work has been exhibited internationally, and she's considered one of the leading contemporary artists in South Africa. Her journey and dedication to her craft inspire many within and beyond the art world.

Noria Mabasa completed one year of formal education at a school located three hours walking distance from her childhood home, but had to discontinue schooling because of household chores. In 1965 she began having recurring dreams of an old woman who showed her how to work in the clay medium, and prompted her to receive local training on the traditional craft. Her first clay figures were often small and were mostly given away to local children. She continues to create work inspired by the messages and visions of her dreams.

She began working with clay in 1974 and two years later, in 1976, she became the first Tsonga woman to work in wood. She received local training.

Mabasa has been working as an artist since 1976. She was encouraged to begin woodcarving after the suggestion of Venda sculptor Nelson Makhuba in 1983. Her earliest figures were modelled after clay and wood matano figures used in domba initiation ceremonies. Mabasa initially found recognition on both the national and international art scenes in the 1980s with her ceramic figures painted with enamel paint. Her naturalistic figures are coil-built and fired in an open straw fire. Her current work combines the figurative and the functional; pots often take the shape of the female figure or feature faces.

Known for her pottery and wood sculptures, she is a recipient of the 2002 Silver category of the Order of the Baobab, also receiving several other national and international accolades and awards for her outstanding artistry and creativity.

Mabasa's works deal mostly with the metaphysical and feminine, particularly issues pertaining to women, as well as subjects of Venda mythology and spirituality. She mainly works with clay from her local river bank and wood for her art pieces. Her choice to create wooden sculptures was partly informed by practicality - she stated that wood "isn't as fragile as clay."

© 2026. All content on this blog is protected by international copyright laws All images are copyrighted © by Noria Muelwa Mabasa or assignee. Apart from fair dealing for the purpose of private study, research, criticism or review as permitted under the Copyright Act, the use of any image from this site is prohibited unless prior written permission is obtained. All images used for illustrative purposes only