In Blue of Larkspur

In Blue of Larkspur (2024) by Dapeng Liu

Oil on linen, 92cm x 122cm

Collector: Simon Chan

Dapeng Liu is a Chinese Australian artist who has been an Archibald Prize finalist three times and also a Sulman Prize finalist at Art Gallery of NSW.

This vibrant painting was initiated when I was approached by Jon-Claire Lee, filmmaker, theatre producer and actor, to collaborate on the composition of a song which potentially can be an anthem for multiculturalism in Australia. I will be writing the music and Jon-Claire will be writing the lyrics of the song. Jon-Claire suggested that he could produce a video for the recording and I decided to commission Dapeng Liu to create one of his brilliant contemporary interpretations of Chinese landscape painting as part of the future video.

Three iconic concert halls designed by renowned architects, Sydney Opera House by Jörn Utzon, Heydar Aliyev Centre by Zaha Hadid and Walt Disney Concert Hall by Frank Gehry, are featured in the mountainous landscape. A diverse range of musicians playing a variety of musical instruments, including Jimi Hendrix on guitar, Mozart on piano, an Aboriginal musician playing the didgeridoo, a Japanese musician playing the shamisen, and a Chinese musician playing the guqin, symbolise the multicultural nature of the musical composition and are a reflection of present-day multicultural Australia.

Simon Chan

(Simon Chan AM is the Director and Founder of Sydney-based art gallery Art Atrium, and is also a practising architect and Director of SCA Architects.)