BIOGRAPHY
Born in 1957 in Jinan, China, Bi Yuan Cheng’s artistic journey began at the age of five, fuelled by his father’s encouragement. By eleven, he was under the mentorship of a leading art professor, a transformative experience that honed his skills in landscape, watercolour, and oil painting. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Jiangxi Art University in 1979, with his works subsequently enshrined in the university’s art museum, affirming his early promise. By 1987 he received the esteemed title of “Chinese Art Master’ from the Province of Shandong. Shortly after, Cheng made a pivotal transition to British Columbia, where he opened his studio and has evolved his practice to encompass original oil and acrylic paintings alongside ambitious mural projects.
Rooted in the British Columbia landscape, Bi Yuan Cheng often explores the dynamic between water, forest, and mountain - employing a contrasting spectrum of colour that emphasizes the visual patterns of light when viewed from afar. Cheng’s work is defined by these rich washes of colour. His applications a playful interplay of light and shadow, saturated hues and powerful brushstrokes that emulate the drama of the Canadian landscape. Characterised by his exuberantly colourful works, Cheng’s style embodies the rhythmic essence of the natural world. Over the past decade, Cheng has also painted more than 50 murals throughout Canada, each a testament to his rich cultural heritage and artistic evolution.
Bi Yuan Cheng’s narrative is one of resilience and creative exploration—a testament to the transformative power of art. His work resonates with personal and cultural histories, capturing the vibrancy of his experience with the natural world in a way that invites deeper reflection.
