Recently I had the opportunity to visit the Southeast Gallery to view the "Exhibition of Flourishing Age Vision" oil paintings by Niu Yungong. This Gallery, which opened in 2000, is relatively small with exhibit rooms on two floors. The first floor is the main exhibit of painter Niu Yungong and his very interesting use of imagination and his own dreams to create 22 paintings of women in various poses of conversation, relaxation, or just being. The facial detail is almost non-existent, allowing the viewer to fill in the detail. The colors are also very dreamlike with very few harsh colors but lots of shades of tan, putty, and taupe. The painting by Niu are valued at 20,000 to 60,000RMB with an expectation of an increase in value of 10% to 20% each year according to the Gallery owner (one of his dreams, I’m sure). The upstairs exhibit room is filled with Niu’s work from his year in St. Petersburg, Russia and almost totally scenes from St. Petersburg . Perhaps some of our Russian members might like to have a look at his view of this historic Russian city. His assistant, DalianXpat member, Sunsea, was very helpful in explaining the exhibit, as was the artist himself.
This classy restaurant, known as the Left Bank to the locals was impressive. The Chef's salad, seafood fried rice with soup, and a 12 oz T-Bone came to 210 RMB. The T-Bone was served so hot the waiter held a napkin over me to make sure I wouldn't get spattered with the juices. The accompanying veggies were sparse but the chef's salad was good and the steak the best I have had in China--not that I've found that many to have. Got there too late for the lunch buffet--it closes at 2. The setting is beautiful as it overlooks the sea at Xinghai Square. Outside is the Poets' Walk with quotes etched in glass and back-lit at night for a nice stroll.
anny789
