

He Datian was born in 1949 in Hunan province. He was an artist with the Hunan Provincial Federation of Literary and Arts Circles and a council member of the Hunan Oil Painting Committee and the Chinese Artists’ Association. He was given his first large one-man show at the National Art Museum of China in 1988, where he exhibited his “Doors and Windows” series. He Datian is currently living in southern California.
Old House, Setting Sun #25, 1988
Oil on Canvas with Carved Wood Window Frame
18" x 14" (46cm x 35 1/2cm)About this work
He Datian’s "Doors and Windows" series combines painting and sculpture in a unique presentation. The artist lets the viewer see through the exterior window frames into the courtyards of traditional southern Chinese homes. These paintings are clearly about the dwellings themselves since the artist never includes any signs of life. He Datian’s sense of perspective and attention to detail draw the viewer into these works. The artist has said that the wooden shutters used in these pieces actually came from houses that were being renovated. Because such artifacts of Chinese history and culture gradually disappear, art like He Datian’s may become our only link to the past.
Window & Candle, 1988
Oil on Canvas with Carved Wood Window Frame
14" x 18" (35 1/2cm x 46cm)About this work
He Datian’s “Doors and Windows” series combines painting and sculpture in a unique presentation. The artist lets the viewer see through the exterior window frames into the courtyards of traditional southern Chinese homes. These paintings are clearly about the dwellings themselves since the artist never includes any signs of life. He Datian’s sense of perspective and attention to detail draw the viewer into these works. The artist has said that the wooden shutters used in these pieces actually came from houses that were being renovated. Because such artifacts of Chinese history and culture gradually disappear, art like He Datian’s may become our only link to the past.
Farmer's House, 1988
Oil on Canvas with Carved Wood Window Frame
14" x 18" (35 1/2cm x 46cm)About this work
He Datian’s “Doors and Windows” series combines painting and sculpture in a unique presentation. The artist lets the viewer see through the exterior window frames into the courtyards of traditional southern Chinese homes. These paintings are clearly about the dwellings themselves since the artist never includes any signs of life. He Datian’s sense of perspective and attention to detail draw the viewer into these works. The artist has said that the wooden shutters used in these pieces actually came from houses that were being renovated. Because such artifacts of Chinese history and culture gradually disappear, art like He Datian’s may become our only link to the past.
Narrow Lane, 1988
Oil on Canvas
28" x 22" (71cm x 59cm)About this work
He Datian combines painting and sculpture in a unique presentation. The artist lets the viewer see through the exterior window frame into the alleyway of traditional southern Chinese homes. These paintings are clearly about the dwellings themselves since the artist never includes any signs of life. He Datian’s sense of perspective and attention to detail draw the viewer into these works. Because such artifacts of Chinese history and culture gradually disappear, art like He Datian’s may become our only link to the past.
Old House, Small Loft, #18, 1988
Oil on Canvas
43" x 32" (109cm x 81cm)About this work
He Datian’s “Doors and Windows” series combines painting and sculpture in a unique presentation. The artist lets the viewer see through the exterior window frames into the courtyards of traditional southern Chinese homes. These paintings are clearly about the dwellings themselves since the artist never includes any signs of life. He Datian’s sense of perspective and attention to detail draw the viewer into these works. The artist has said that the wooden shutters used in these pieces actually came from houses that were being renovated. Because such artifacts of Chinese history and culture gradually disappear, art like He Datian’s may become our only link to the past.
Old House, Kitchen #14, 1988
Oil on Canvas with Carved Wood Window Frame
43" x 32" (109cm x 81cm)About this work
He Datian’s “Doors and Windows” series combines painting and sculpture in a unique presentation. The artist lets the viewer see through the exterior window frames into the courtyards of traditional southern Chinese homes. These paintings are clearly about the dwellings themselves, since the artist never includes any signs of life. He Datian’s sense of perspective and attention to detail draw the viewer into these works. The artist has said that the wooden shutters used in these pieces actually came from houses that were being renovated. Because such artifacts of Chinese history and culture gradually disappear, art like He Datian’s may become our only link to the past.
Old House, Candle Power #22, 1988
Oil on Canvas
12" x 14" (30cm x 35.5cm)About this work
He Datian’s “Doors and Windows” series combines painting and sculpture in a unique presentation. The artist lets the viewer see through the exterior window frames into the courtyards of traditional southern Chinese homes. These paintings are clearly about the dwellings themselves, since the artist never includes any signs of life. He Datian’s sense of perspective and attention to detail draw the viewer into these works. The artist has said that the wooden shutters used in these pieces actually came from houses that were being renovated. Because such artifacts of Chinese history and culture gradually disappear, art like He Datian’s may become our only link to the past.
Old Street, 1988
Oil on Canvas
18" x 14" (45.7cm x 35.5cm)About this work
He Datian combines painting and sculpture in a unique presentation. The artist lets the viewer see through the exterior window frame into the alleyway of traditional southern Chinese homes. These paintings are clearly about the dwellings themselves, since the artist never includes any signs of life. He Datian’s sense of perspective and attention to detail draw the viewer into these works. Because such artifacts of Chinese history and culture gradually disappear, art like He Datian’s may become our only link to the past.