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ART CONCEPT
My art is rooted in the idea of fusion, shaped by the diverse cultural influences of my life. As a Mongolian raised with nomadic traditions, later immersed in China's agricultural society, and now inspired by the multicultural vibrancy of Boston, I stand at the crossroads of these worlds.
My work seeks to blend these three cultural landscapes, not just visually but philosophically. By challenging classical techniques and embracing contemporary approaches, I create art that reflects my journey through these varied traditions. Drawing from the landscapes and customs of my heritage, my style merges the past with the present, capturing my evolving identity in a world of constant change.
Ultimately, my art explores how different cultural threads can intertwine, celebrating diversity and the rich complexity of our shared human experience.
ABOUT
Moni is an artist whose creative journey reflects a profound exploration of personal identity, cultural memory, and the impermanence of existence. Initially known for his landscape paintings, Moni’s early works were deeply influenced by his nostalgia for his distant homeland, Mongolia. These landscapes are not mere depictions of nature but are infused with Moni’s inner longing and the emotional resonance of being a sojourner in a foreign land. Having lived in the United States for over a decade, his paintings from this period express a deep sense of transience and the unsettling experience of a traveler disconnected from his roots.
In 1999, Moni exhibited his works at the Tremont Gallery, where his depictions of Mongolia’s vast grasslands were admired for their expressive quality. However, rather than presenting objective portrayals, Moni’s art captured the emotional landscapes of his soul, filled with motifs of fleeting birds and the symbolism of impermanence.
Upon returning to his homeland after a long absence, Moni experienced a powerful emotional reaction to the changes he witnessed — landscapes once familiar had been altered by new constructions. This shift profoundly impacted his work, leading him to reflect on themes of loss, change, and the passage of time. His art began to incorporate architectural elements, symbolizing the gradual disappearance of the once-expansive grasslands he knew.
The turn of the millennium marked a significant shift in Moni’s artistic style. From 2000 onwards, his work evolved from representational landscapes to abstract expressions characterized by dynamic brushstrokes and organic forms. Series like “Meeting of the East and the West,” “Wind,” and “Dance” showcased Moni’s exploration of motion, space, and color, while still retaining the themes of longing and connection to his homeland.
In 2010 and 2011, Moni revisited landscapes but with a renewed perspective. His works from this period reflect a mature understanding of nature, not just as a symbol of Mongolia but as a universal element that connects all of humanity. His paintings began to focus on the challenges facing humanity, particularly the tension between the rapid advancement of technology and the preservation of the natural world.
Moni’s art has always served as a personal outlet for his deep thoughts and feelings. He prioritizes the purity of artistic expression over commercial success, rejecting trends and superficial influences. Moni remains committed to creating art that is true to his vision, driven by a desire to explore deeper philosophical questions and to achieve his dream of artistic fulfillment.
EXHIBITIONS
Inner Mongolia Art Museum, Hohhot, China - Group Exhibition August 2024
Inner Mongolia Library Gallery, Hohhot, China - Group Exhibition "Impact" 2023
Inner Mongolia Hohhot Art Museum, Hohhot, China - Group Exhibition 2023
Inner Mongolia Library Gallery, Hohhot, China - Group Exhibition "Transformation · Inheritance" 2022
Taipei, Taiwan - Group Exhibition at Taipei Gallery 2019
Hangzhou Xiaoshan Art Center, Hangzhou, China - Solo Exhibition 2019
Miami, USA - Group Exhibition at Miami Gallery 2018
New York, USA - Group Exhibition at New York Gallery 2018
CCTV ART Contemporary Masters Annual Art Exhibition at the Bird's Nest, Beijing, China 2018
3rd "Qiaoqing Heart" Returnee Artists Exhibition, Hohhot, China 2018
Solo Exhibition at Inner Mongolia University of Technology Architectural Design Institute, Hohhot, China 2018
Belt and Road China-Mongolia-Russia Contemporary Art Exhibition, Erenhot, China 2018
Shanghai Maritime University Xu Beihong Art Academy, Shanghai, China - Solo Exhibition 2017
Yanhuang Art Museum "Lingying Grassland" Inner Mongolia Classic Artists Invitational Exhibition, Beijing, China - Group Exhibition 2017
"2017 Moni Solo Art Exhibition" at Inner Mongolia Hotel, Hohhot, China 2017
Curator of "2017 Xincun Contemporary Art Exhibition" at Xincun, Hohhot, China 2017
"City Shepherd Art Exhibition" at Inner Mongolia Hotel, Hohhot, China - Group Exhibition 2017
"Lingying Grassland - Hairihan, Moni, Morigen Teacher and Student Exhibition" at Rongbaozhai, Hohhot, China - Trio Exhibition 2017
Curator of "178 Warehouse Inner Mongolia Contemporary Art Exhibition" at 178 Warehouse, Hohhot, China 2017
"Here and Now - Inner Mongolian Contemporary Artists Exhibition" at Yitai Space, Hohhot, China - Joint Exhibition 2017
Curator of "North Gate · New Wind" 1st International Contemporary Art Exhibition at Hohhot National Art Museum, Hohhot, China 2016
Nanjing International Art Exhibition, Nanjing, China - Group Exhibition 2015
Solo Exhibition "Pursuing Dreams and Seeking Roots - New Works by Chinese-American Artist Moni" at Hohhot National Art Museum, Hohhot, China 2015
"Qiaoqing Heart" 1st Overseas Returnee Artists Exhibition at Inner Mongolia Art Museum, Hohhot, China - Group Exhibition 2014
"Same Root, Same Source" Yinshan Petroglyph Art Exhibition, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia - Group Exhibition 2014
Solo Exhibition "Perspective" by Chinese-American Painter Moni at 87 Gallery, Hohhot, China 2014
YING Space Art Gallery, Beijing, China 2014
"Memory of History" Special Exhibition at Genghis Khan Mausoleum, Ordos, China 2014
Solo Exhibition at Ordos Calligraphy and Painting Academy, Ordos, China 2013
"Call of the Ancestors - International Yinshan Petroglyph Art Exhibition" at Sijinta Art Museum, Hohhot, China - Group Exhibition 2013
"China-Mongolia-Russia Grassland Oil Painting Exhibition" at Hohhot, China - Group Exhibition 2013
"Call of the Ancestors - International Yinshan Petroglyph Art Exhibition" at Hetao Cultural Museum, Bayannur, China - Group Exhibition 2013
Asia Contemporary Art Exhibition, Hong Kong, China 2013
YING Space Art Gallery, Beijing, China 2013
CAC Gallery, Beijing, China 2013
Group Exhibition at Art 3 Gallery, New Jersey, USA 2012
International Art Expo, Guangzhou, China - Group Exhibition 2012
Solo Exhibition at Joel Gallery, Boston, USA 2012
Solo Exhibition at St. Paul's School, Southampton, USA 2011
Solo Exhibition at Ordos Art Museum, Ordos, China 2011
Solo Exhibition at MKL Gallery, Boston, USA 2010
Solo Exhibition at Crossing Art Gallery, New York, USA 2010
Solo Exhibition "Moni's Visionary Landscapes" at Liaohe Art Museum, Panjin, China 2009
China Contemporary Oil Painting Exhibition at Katina Manor, Malmö, Sweden 2008
Jingquan Gallery, Massachusetts, USA 2008
Large Exhibition of Boston Area Artists at Boston Exhibition Hall, Massachusetts, USA 2007
Mayor's Office Exhibition, Boston, USA 2007
Exhibition at the Contemporary Art Museum, Beijing, China 2007
Boston Museum of Fine Arts School, Massachusetts, USA 2006
Boston Museum of Fine Arts Exhibition, Massachusetts, USA 2006
Diana Art Gallery, Massachusetts, USA 2006
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