Sun Ziyao is a prominent young artist with a unique artistic language. He extends the boundaries of the ancient traditions of Chinese ink painting with the use of charcoal, wax, and other media. Our Friends and Us includes figurative works of humans and animals and landscape works.

In these works, Sun explores the relationship between humans, animals, and nature. Growing up in the coastal city Dalian in northeastern China, he has developed deep connections with the sea and with nature. He has deep concerns about how humans relate to and treat animals. “I paint animals just like I paint humans.” Says Sun.

“His works can shake and rattle, and make us uneasy. They have an element of primitive unruliness and wild beauty.” Guan Wei, leading Chinese-Australian artist commented.