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By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Christian missionaries had been in China for several hundred years, which meant that many Chinese immigrants had encountered Christianity before they ever set foot on American soil. Women and children were known as “easy believers” by missionaries and two children devote their attention to the preacher in this image while other Chinese, particularly men, gather above decks to talk and smoke among themselves.
The exquisite paintings of award-winning artist Mian Situ provide an evocative window into a point in history when the collision of East and West impacted the future not only for the immigrants, but for both cultures.
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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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