Fang Xiang
方 向 1967年出生於廣東汕頭，是當代中國畫壇新一代領軍人物，畢業於廣州美術學院。他曾任廣東畫院專職畫家，現為中國國家畫院教授、一級美術師，在當代彩墨領域具有舉足輕重的學術地位。
方向的繪畫不同於傳統山水的清冷，他大量運用飽滿的西方色彩（如鮮亮的赭石、群青與暖黃）融入水墨勾勒中。「麗江系列」是其藝術成熟期的代表作，他捕捉麗江古城在不同光線下的色澤，使畫面產生一種如印象派般的光影動感，展現出古城的溫度與鮮活氣息。
麗江系列多以俯瞰或平視的角度刻畫古城的庭院與街巷。他以極其細密的線條交織出納西建築的屋檐、木窗與小橋，這種裝飾性極強的繁複構圖非但沒有壓迫感，在繁而不亂中營造出一種「人間煙火氣」與「世外桃源」並存的寧靜與生機。
作品中常出現紅燈籠、竹凳、小貓或鳥籠等細節，這不僅是麗江生活的寫照，更帶有一種家園情結的詩意表達。畫面交織着懷舊與當代，他將古老城鎮的寧靜與現代旅遊生活的活躍巧妙平衡，讓觀眾仿佛能嗅到花香、聽到流水聲。
由於其風格兼具傳統底蘊與現代審美，方向的作品在國際與國內拍賣市場均有穩定表現，是具備高投資潛力的藝術家。作品頻繁亮相於蘇富比 (Sotheby's)與中國嘉德 (China Guardian)拍賣市場，作品成交活躍，備受亞太地區（特別是新加坡、香港）及西方藏家青睞，收藏價值持續穩健。
Fang Xiang born in 1967 in Shantou, Guangdong, is a leading figure among the new generation of contemporary Chinese painters. A graduate of the Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts, he previously served as a full-time artist at the Guangdong Academy of Fine Arts. Currently a professor and first-class artist at the China National Academy of Painting, he holds a pivotal academic position in the field of contemporary ink-and-color painting.
Fang Xiang's paintings diverge from the cool detachment of traditional landscape art. He extensively employs rich Western hues—such as vivid ochre, ultramarine, and warm yellow—blending them into ink-outlined compositions. The “Lijiang Series” represents his artistic maturity, capturing the shifting colors of Lijiang Old Town under varying light. This creates an impressionistic play of light and shadow, conveying the warmth and vibrant spirit of the ancient city.
The Lijiang Series predominantly depicts the courtyards and alleys of the ancient town from bird's-eye or eye-level perspectives. With meticulously intricate lines, he weaves together the eaves, wooden windows, and small bridges of Naxi architecture. This highly decorative, complex composition avoids any sense of oppression; instead, within its intricate yet orderly arrangement, it creates a tranquil vitality where the “smoke and fire of human life” coexists with a “paradise beyond the mundane.”
Details like red lanterns, bamboo stools, kittens, or birdcages frequently appear in his works. These elements not only depict daily life in Lijiang but also poetically express a sense of homeliness. His paintings weave together nostalgia and contemporary life, skillfully balancing the tranquility of the ancient town with the vibrancy of modern tourism. Viewers can almost smell the flowers and hear the flowing water.
With a style blending traditional roots and modern aesthetics, Fang Xiang's works consistently perform well in both international and domestic auction markets, positioning him as an artist with high investment potential. His pieces frequently appear at Sotheby's and China Guardian auctions, achieving strong sales and garnering significant interest from collectors across the Asia-Pacific region (particularly Singapore and Hong Kong) and the West. His works maintain steady appreciation in value.
