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Artist Mian Situ’s inspiration for "The Entrepreneur," a portrait-within-a-portrait, came from a real photograph dating from the 1890s. Like many recent arrivals to the United States, the man against the backdrop would have wanted something from America to send to his family overseas and a photograph such as this was common.
Situ speculates that the flower in the Chinese man’s hand was most likely the photographer’s idea, as a Chinese man would not have thought to hold a flower in something as important as a photograph. However, in an attempt to learn and fit in with the customs of their new country, such a man (and his family) would be inclined to do what was asked of them or what they were told “should be done in America.” This man and his family have arrived in traditional Chinese dress for their visit to the “modern” American photo studio. The joining of old and new worlds, of east and west, is a central theme in Situ’s work.
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Born in Southern China, Mian Situ received his formal art training in his
native homeland of Guangdong, formerly Canton. He graduated with a Bachelor of
Fine Arts from the prestigious Guangzhou Institute of Fine Art. After
instructing for six years, he earned a Masters in Fine Art.
Immigrating to Canada, then later moving to the United States, Mian’s
paintings clearly reflect his upbringing in the rural countryside of his
native China. His artistic diversification of subject matter, from the people
of the small villages and farming communities going about their daily lives to
the exquisite portraitures as well as his most recent works inspired by
western historical themes and American landscapes, all reflect the sensitive
dedication of this Master Artist.
Mian has been recognized with many national art awards. During the 2002
Masters of the American West exhibition and sale at the Autry National Center
in Los Angeles California, Mian Situ received the Masters of the American West
Museum Purchase Award, the Thomas Moran Memorial Award for Artistic Merit and
the Patron’s Choice Award. In 2003, Mian was honored with the Thomas Moran
Memorial Award, Artist’s Choice Award and Patron’s Choice Award. Most
recently, in 2005, Mian was presented with the Artist’s Choice Award for his
painting, The Word of God. Mian Situ is represented by Trailside Galleries in
Scottsdale, Arizona and Jackson, Wyoming. He lives with his wife, Helen and
daughter, Lisa in Southern California.
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