Snowfall in the North:A Winter Song Captured on Canvas

I live in a city born and prospered by its roads, where art is its soul, inclusiveness is its character, passion is its temperament, and stories are its foundation. This place is fi lled with a fantastic array of colors, each season distinct, but its winter remains as enchanting as ever. From the moment I picked up the brush, capturing the beauty of ice and snow has become my unchanging theme. From the Ice-Lantern Garden Party to Harbin Ice and Snow World, I have captured every stunning moment of ice and snow with my brush. If the snow is a poem written by nature to Harbin, then the historic buildings nestled in the streets and alleys of Harbin are the magnifi cent scrolls left by time to the city. People immersed in them feel as if they travel through time and space, witnessing the seasonal transitions and profound transformations of the city. Wandering between reality and the past, they are absorded in the endless charm of history. These architectural heritage sites provide a continuous source of artistic nourishment to Harbin residents,while the convergence of Eastern and Western cultures has elevated their aesthetic taste. People living here can not only feel a poetic everyday life but also experience a rich artistic atmosphere.

In Harbin, every local is striving for the betterment of this city. In 2024, I was honored to receive an invitation from an editor to capture today’s Harbin with my brush, which has become an unforgettable chapter in my professional journey.From interviews with scholars to on-site visits of historic architecture, delving into the historical narratives behind these structures has been a process fi lled with remarkable discoveries and insights. These venerable buildings harbor centuries of history and embody the wisdom and craftsmanship passed down through generations, standing as silent witnesses to history. As Gogol once remarked, when poetry and legends fall silent, architecture speaks. As a listener, I quietly absorb the stories of time that these historic buildings tell and use my brush to depict their tales. Now, as my work is about to be published, I feel both gratifi ed and honored.

In my exploration of historic architecture, I have encountered many interesting individuals who share a common trait—an obsession and passion unique to Northeasterners. They open shops within these historic structures,such as Western restaurants, bookstores, cafés, gourmet shops, and fl ower shops.Feifei, the owner of “Backyard Flower Shop”, loves this city so much that she turns her dreams into reality every year. Her carefully crafted courtyard has transformed into a fairy-tale world, breathing new life into the old building. It is precisely these individuals, with their fervent hearts, who bring warmth to this snow-covered city. This is a city of cold winters, yet it is also a city of warm hearts. I would call it a city where ice and fi re interweave.

I hope my paintings can guide readers to explore and understand an authentic Harbin. Perhaps one day, when you come to Harbin with this book and follow the traces in these illustrations, you will see a different Harbin and appreciate the city’s dreamlike and splendid beauty. Finally, I would like to thank my family and friends who have supported me along the way. Their spiritual support has ensured that I never felt alone in my artistic pursuit.

I love the city where I live, and I fi rmly believe in its boundless potential for the future. Let’s contribute our own strength to the cultural heritage of Harbin.

December 18, 2024