JIAN (JANET) LIU
Visual Artist | Author | Arts Director | Founder, Art Saving Life Foundation Montreal, Quebec, Canada Portfolio: jian-liu.com | Foundation: aslf.ca Language Fluency: English, Chinese
ARTIST STATEMENT & PRACTICE SUMMARY
Montreal-based visual artist with over twenty years of studio practice exploring the intercultural dialogue between traditional Chinese ink-and-wash on xuan paper, oil and acrylic on canvas, and conceptual mixed media. Formally trained in Fine Art, New Media Design, and Industrial Art & Design, my studio practice investigates spatial void (xu), light, material permanence, and resilience. Founder and President of the Art Saving Life Foundation (ASLF), dedicated to advancing art, health, art therapy, and community cultural engagement.
EDUCATION & FORMAL ARTISTIC TRAINING
- 2008-2012 Fine Art (part time studies) Concordia University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- 2002-2004 Post-Graduate Certificate in New Media Design, Centennial College, Toronto, ON, Canada
- 1991-1993 Diploma of Industry Art & Design, Zhengzhou University of Light Industry, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS & PUBLIC ACTIVITIES
Solo Exhibitions
Oct 2019 Small Size and Big Vision, Helene-Rouette Gallery, L’ile-Bizard, QC
Nov 2014 Free the Balloon, Helene-Rouette Gallery, L’ile-Bizard, QC
Nov 2011 Soul, Time and Space Ink and Wash Painting Art Exhibition, Helene-Rouette Gallery, L’ile-Bizard, QC
Apr 2011 The moments of Joy Oil Painting Art Exhibition, Helene-Rouette Gallery, L’ile-Bizard, QC
Oct 2006 Janet Liu Solo Art Exhibition, Seagram Gallery, Montreal, QC
Apr 2001 Solo Experimental Ink Wash Painting Exhibition, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
Group & Juried Exhibitions
Sept 2024 International Tsai-Mo Folklore-Customs Art Exhibition, Da Dun Cultural Center of Taichung City, Taichung, Taiwan
Sept 2023 International Tsai-Mo Travel, Memory Art Exhibition, Da Dun Cultural Center of Taichung City, Taichung, Taiwan
Sept 2022 International Tsai-Mo Dream Homeland Art Exhibition, Da Dun Cultural Center of Taichung City, Taichung, Taiwan
Dec 2021 35×35 Cov-Art project, Copelouzos Family Art Museum, Athens, Greece
Sept 2020 International Tsai-Mo Boats World Art Exhibition, Da Dun Cultural Center of Taichung City, Taichung, Taiwan
Nov 2018 West Island Women’s Art Show, DDO, Quebec, Canada
Dec 2018 35×35 art project, Copelouzos Family Art Museum, Athens, Greece
Oct 2018 International Tsai-Mo Flower World Art Exhibition, Da Dun Cultural Center of Taichung City, Taichung, Taiwan
Sept 2017 International Tsai-Mo Flower & City Art Exhibition, Da Dun Cultural Center of Taichung City, Taichung, Taiwan
Sept 2016 International Tsai-Mo Fish Art Exhibition, Da Dun Cultural Center of Taichung City, Taichung, Taiwan
Nov 2015 Canadian International Chinese Painting and Calligraphy Exhibition, Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto/Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, ON, Canada
Oct 2015 Art as Experience – Group Art Exhibition, Helene-Rouette Gallery, L’ile-Bizard, QC, Canada
Sept 2015 International Tsai-mo Butterfly Art Exhibition, Da Dun Cultural Center of Taichung City, Taichung, Taiwan
Apr 2014 Exhibition of Calligraphy & Painting by Modern and Contemporary Oversea Chinese Artists, Henan Art Museum, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
Mar 2014 Creative Resilience: Courage, Expression and Art, La Ruche d’Art Gallery, Montreal, QC, Canada
Oct 2013 Art as Escape/Haven, Helene-Rouette Gallery, L’ile-Bizard, QC, Canada
Nov 2012 3rd China•Cuiheng Cross-strait Chinese Artist Fine Arts Exhibition, Cuiheng Art Museum, Zhongshan, Guangdong, China
Apr 2010 Art for Cure Exhibition, Espace Reunion, Montreal, QC, Canada
May 2008 Contemporary Canadian Artist Exhibition, Kaipin Art Museum, Kaipin, Guangdong, China
Oct 2007 Saint-Laurent Fall Art Exhibition, City Hall Gallery, Saint-Laurent, QC, Canada
May 2007 Printmaking Group Art Show, Saidye Bronfman Centre for Fine Arts, Montreal, QC, Canada
July 2004 37th Toronto International Outdoor Art Exhibition, Toronto, ON, Canada
May 2003 2nd Chinese Experimental Ink and Wash Exhibition(Travelling),
Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
Luft Gallery, Toronto, ON, Canada
Maslak McLeod Gallery, Toronto, ON, Canada
A.W.O.L.Gallery, Toronto, ON, Canada
Tao Water Gallery, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Hubei Art Museum, Wuhan, Hubei, China
Red Gate Gallery, Beijing, China
May 2003 The Young Artist Exhibition, Joans Art Gallery, Toronto, ON, Canada
Nov 2003 Xuan Motion Exhibition, IS Gallery, Markham, ON, Canada
Aug 2002 1st Chinese Experimental Ink and Wash Exhibition(Travelling)
Chinese Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto, ON, Canada
Yantai Art Museum, Yantai, Shandong, China
Qingdao Exhibition Centre, Qingdao, Shandong, China
Zibo China Art Museum, Zibo, Shandong, China
Jiangsu Art Museum, Jiangsu, China
Jun 2002 The Second Art Exhibition, Chinese Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto, ON, Canada
PUBLISHED BOOKS & VISUAL ART DIRECTION
- 2026: Xiu Men · Tea Healing · Breath Return — Author, Visual Art Director, Graphic Designer
- Independent Monograph (ISBN: 979-8198942387)
- Multi-disciplinary publication integrating visual art direction, wellness philosophy, and East Asian cultural aesthetics.
- 2020: Art, Food, Love: Celebration of Rebirth — Author, Visual Art Director
- Independent Monograph (ISBN: 979-856054424)
- Visual art direction combining fine art imagery, graphic design, and reflections on rebirth, healing, and gratitude.
ARTS LEADERSHIP & COMMUNITY IMPACT
Founder & President — Art Saving Life Foundation (ASLF), Montreal, QC (2008 – Present)
- Founder & Executive Director: Established and led a registered non-profit art foundation dedicated to supporting art therapy, art and health research, and cultural advocacy.
- Exhibition Curation & Public Programming: Organized and curated annual public art exhibitions, community workshops, and cultural galas featuring local and international artists.
- Arts Advocacy & Community Outreach: Managed art donation drives, youth art mentorship initiatives, and art-for-health partnerships with healthcare centers and community organizations in Quebec.
GRANTS, AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
- 2025 — King Charles III Coronation Medal, Canadian Federal Government, Montreal, QC
- 2017 — Canada 150 Community Service Award, Canadian Federal Government, Montreal, QC