If Fyodor Dostoevsky is right, and “beauty will save the world,” then the award-winning paintings of “The Sixth NTD International Figure Painting Competition (NIFPC)” will do more than delight our senses.
The NIFPC is one of a series of international art and cultural events hosted by NTD, the sister media of The Epoch Times. The competition’s mission is “to promote the pure beauty, pure goodness, and pure authenticity of traditional oil painting,” thereby reviving the realist painting tradition.
This year’s competition received hundreds of entries, covering a wide range of subject matter including self-portraits, family gatherings, salvation, damnation, and religious persecution. The judges selected more than 50 finalists from some 20 countries. They assessed more than the artists’ technical skills; they looked to see if the figure paintings conveyed purity, beauty, and righteousness in order to guide and uplift humanity.
This year, the Salmagundi Club in New York City hosted the award ceremony and awarded three silver, five bronze, six outstanding technique, two outstanding youth awards, and a profound humanities award.
Accomplished sculptor and competition jury chair Kunlun Zhang explained in the exhibition catalog preface why this year’s top prize is the silver medal: “The gold medal of this competition will be the brightest point in the history of human art development, therefore must adhere to the highest standards, and must be a perfect combination of positive content and superior technology. If no work meets such high standards, the gold medal would rather not be awarded.”
Mr. Zhang noted that the competition entrants strove to transcend their artistic skills: “Everyone is yearning for beauty and exploring the way to present beauty and express it perfectly.”
Hung-Yu Chen (L), Yuan Li (not pictured), and Shao-Han Tsai, won the silver award for their triptych "The Infinite Grace of Buddha" at the Sixth NTD International Figure Painting Competition on Jan. 18, 2024, at the Salmagundi Club in New York City. Each artist painted one of the panels. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times) "
The left panel of "The Infinite Grace of Buddha" by Hung-Yu Chen of Taiwan. Oil on canvas; 107 3/8 inches by 56 4/8 inches. (NTD International Figure Painting Competition)
The central panel of "The Infinite Grace of Buddha" by Yuan Li of Japan. Oil on canvas; 107 3/8 inches by 74 5/8 inches. (NTD International Figure Painting Competition)
The right panel of "The Infinite Grace of Buddha" by Shao-Han Tsai of Taiwan. Oil on canvas; 107 3/8 inches by 56 4/8 inches. (NTD International Figure Painting Competition)
Bronze Award Winners
“Vivian” by John Darley of the United States. Oil on linen; 18 inches by 36 inches. (NTD International Figure Painting Competition)
“Jenna’s Joy” by Adam Clague of the United States. Oil on canvas; 30 inches by 24 inches. (NTD International Figure Painting Competition)
"Origin" by Pablo Josué Roque Almanza of Peru. Oil on canvas; 58 6/8 inches by 86 2/8 inches. (NTD International Figure Painting Competition)
“Bath Time” by Clodoaldo Geovani Martins of Brazil. Oil on canvas; 36 inches by 40 inches. (NTD International Figure Painting Competition)
“The Revival” by Tien-Cheng Wu of Taiwan. Oil on canvas; 82 2/8 inches by 43 1/8 inches. (NTD International Figure Painting Competition)
“Alexandra” by Sandra Kuck of the United States. Oil on canvas; 48 inches by 24 inches. (NTD International Figure Painting Competition)
“A Self Portrait With a Pearl Earring” by Alessandra Marrucchi of Italy. Oil on canvas; 10 inches by 16 inches. (NTD International Figure Painting Competition)
“Revelation” by Lauren Tilden of the United States. Oil on canvas; 24 inches by 36 inches. (NTD International Figure Painting Competition)
“Worries (Self-Portrait)” by Phillippe Lhuillier of France. Oil on canvas; 39 2/8 inches by 31 7/8 inches. (NTD International Figure Painting Competition)
“Flying Apsaras in the Golden Age” by Hao Zeng of China. Oil on Canvas; 45 inches by 63 inches. (NTD International Figure Painting Competition)
Outstanding Youth Awards
“Merciful Encouragement” by Yu Hsuan Lin. Oil on canvas; 62 inches by 82 2/8 inches. (NTD International Figure Painting Competition)
“Tiananmen Square After the Rain” Jui-Hsiang Shao of Taiwan. Oil on canvas; 63 6/8 inches by 47 inches. (NTD International Figure Painting Competition)
Profound Humanities Award
“Choosing Conscience Amid Political Unrest” by Shi-Ju Chiang. Oil on canvas; 102 1/8 inches by 53 1/8 inches. (NTD International Figure Painting Competition)
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Lorraine Ferrier writes about fine arts and craftsmanship for The Epoch Times. She focuses on artists and artisans, primarily in North America and Europe, who imbue their works with beauty and traditional values. She's especially interested in giving a voice to the rare and lesser-known arts and crafts, in the hope that we can preserve our traditional art heritage. She lives and writes in a London suburb, in England.
