The Barseries seems to be the most gorgeous chapter in the works of Old Shanghai with a profound and poetic sentiment in a dream full of exquisite make-ups and cloths.
BEI is good at using colors to shape the space with soft edge and blurred shadow. His profound skills in composition and colorsbrought vigorous vitality to the painting with a poetic and intense rhythm, while the reserved and sensitive sentiment mobilizes the interest of viewers and provides plenty of imagination.
While nostalgia for old Shanghai has become a trend of fashion, BEI Jiaxiang brought us a ‘Shanghainese style’ surprisingly original. Most artworks of old shanghai by the other artists were made with vibrant color to depict the lights and prosperity of old Shanghai, instead, he chose grey as the tone and created a variety of layers between black and white, the paintings appear profoundly deep and meaningful with a historical and cultural significance of the past.
It seems like his memory was poured out on canvas the moment he had brush on hand. As a native Shanghainese, he mixed all small details inmemory and life experience into the painting and naturally expressed deep feelings towards his hometown. Therefore, there is a vigorous vitality in the artworks of historical scenes which renders the feeling of homesick and romantic natureof the artist.
