Born 1967 in Liaoning Province, Mengzhou City, Sun took great interest in painting at a young age.  In 1983 he attended the Shenzhou Art Academy and studied traditional Chinese painting and calligraphy, graduating from the Liaoning University of Art and Culture.  Having been to the Beijing Yuan Ming Yuan (“Garden of Perfect Brightness”) Artist Village, Sun experienced the greatness of the Eastern philosophy, as well as the great scriptures and the old masters.  The experience (in the Artist Village) cleansed his soul and made Sun realized the vastness of the universe.  The style of his works have been influenced by his being a devoted Buddhist and hence a vegetarian since 1998, following a Buddhist Monk from the Himalayas. 

The source of his creations comes from the enlightenment of the universe, the experience he gains from his Buddhist practice, the Chinese culture and adventures as well as his meditations.  Through his paintings Sun would like to share his joys in life with the viewers.

Discovering the Scenes of the Heart
Inspirations in creating “Meili Snow Mountain” Series
By Sun Guangyi 

July 2003, by some mystic coincidence, a Buddhist monk from a temple in Guangzhou invited me to tour the scenic area in Tibet just as I had emerged from the reminiscent antiseptic smell during SARS.  I was ready to soak in the natural breeze. 

We departed to the ancient city of Lijiang and were accompanied by a young Living Buddha on an arduous month-long journey, passing through forests situated 4,000m above sea-level, and finally reached Meili Snow Mountain, which is regarded as a Holy Mountain by local Tibetans.  We came across many pilgrims as we approached the Snow Mountain.  The Living Buddha told us that Meili Snow Mountain is the holiest of the eight Holy Mountains in Tibet, and is also known as Prince Snow Mountain.  Of the 13 summits, the Mountain God of the main summit was born on the year of the Goat.  According to the Tibetan calendar, this Year is the Year of the Goat, and therefore many pilgrims travel to the Holy Mountain.  At the foot of the mountain, the Living Buddha gave me a beautifully-made toy goat.  I thought to myself: “How does the Living Buddha know that I was born on the year of the Goat?” 

It was raining heavily one evening, but we were not worried.  The locals say that the Meili Snow Mountain God is mysterious because it is often clouded on the summit.  Only those who have a deep connection with the Mountain God will be able to see the true appearance of the Holy Mountain.  Many people have waited to no avail.  The locals if we would be the lucky ones?  The next morning when we awoke, the sky was clear and it was a bright sunny day.  The main summit unveiled itself as we gradually approached, revealing its solemnity and sacredness.  As we descended the slope along the Ming Yung Stream, the Snow Mountain had quickly disappeared amid a sea of clouds.  I heard the Living Buddha said: “You should return home.”  I looked around a little confused, but the young Living Buddha stood beside me and looked at me with compassion and at ease. 

It began to drizzle again.  The sky appeared a rare silver lining tranquilly shining through the rain.  I wonder if this is the “Light of the Buddha” mentioned in the folklores.  The sea of clouds, covering the Snow Mountain, mystically emerged a few square-windows.  Through these “windows”, I found the source of enlightenment in my heart.  I am grateful to the universe for its deep compassion, bringing me a sense of awe and wonder. 

This series are spiritual works which I have created with the paintbrush of my life, resulting in pieces blessed by nature, taking me away from the huzzle and buzzle of the city.  This is a journey of nature, of the heart which I would like to share with each of the viewers.  Through these works we taste the peace, tranquility, mystery and solemnity of nature, feeling the potential and spiritual life force in all phenomena throughout the universe.