On the Expansive Stage of Contemporary Art: The Journey of Jingmin Ren
In the broad arena of contemporary art, artist Jingmin Ren is steadily emerging as a radiant presence. She gazes at the world through her brushstrokes and experiences life with her heart. At the intersection of Eastern and Western cultures, she has gradually forged a uniquely personal artistic path. Her works embody both the philosophy and poetic imagery of Eastern culture and the expressive freedom and dynamic tension of Western art—forming a distinctive visual language.
Originally from Kunming, Yunnan, China, Jingmin Ren has always been passionate about painting and photography. Entirely self-taught in painting, she achieved significant accomplishments after moving to Sydney, Australia, despite the unfamiliarity of a new cultural environment. Through more than a decade of dedicated work, her artistic expression has flourished.
Though not formally trained at an art academy, Ren possesses a vivid imagination and the courage to express freely. She began with landscape photography, spending three years photographing Sydney’s scenery every morning, rain or shine, capturing the city through all seasons and weather. Her photos feature ever-changing skies, cityscapes, and the local culture and customs—amassing a rich archive of visual material for her paintings. Her photography series "Sydney This Morning" gained wide popularity. She later sought guidance from both traditional Chinese and Western painting masters, devoting great passion and energy to the study of painting.
Ren explores the fusion of mythological symbols and totems from her native Yunnan with Australian landscapes and multicultural elements. Her unique artistic vision cleverly brings these elements together. Her works—whether in oil, watercolor, or acrylic—span realism, abstraction, and decorative styles. Her paintings of flowers and landscapes are often vibrant, whimsical, and brimming with heartfelt energy and youthful vitality. Through a romantic lens, she uses light and color to express the harmony between humanity and nature, breaking temporal and spatial boundaries. Her spiritual pursuit aims to merge passionate belief with the grandeur of nature, developing into her own distinctive style of expression.
In 2012, Ren was invited to create an oil painting series titled "Genesis" for a Sydney Catholic school—a great success. Since then, she has held solo exhibitions at venues including the Sydney Chinese Cultural Centre, various foreign consulates in Sydney, golf clubs, Campsie Library, and Bankstown Library. She has also actively participated in many joint Chinese-Western exhibitions hosted by the Australian Institute of Arts and other art organizations, winning numerous awards.
In recent years, Ren has expanded her artistic vision globally, actively participating in various international art exhibitions. She was named a Specially Appointed Artist by the Paris International Art Center and a National First-Class Artist in China. China Post issued a limited edition collector's stamp album titled "Contemporary Artist Jingmin Ren". Her work has been collected by the Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum in Taiwan.
She has been featured in the "Directory of Famous Modern and Contemporary Chinese Calligraphy and Painting Artists", which is archived by museums, the National Library of Australia, and Fo Guang Shan Nan Tien Temple. The China Overseas Chinese Publishing House released a special publication "National Gift Artist to the World — Renowned Oil Painter Jingmin Ren", now housed in multiple consulates in China. Her oil painting "Sydney Morning" was exhibited in Hawaii, earning her the Outstanding International Female Artist Award.
A highlight of recent achievements includes:
In May 2024, her "Flow of Light" series was invited to be featured on the Times Square Big Screen in New York as part of a global exhibition of 15 world-class artists hosted by a London gallery.
In October 2024, her "Sydney Morning" series was again showcased on the Frieze Art Fair Big Screen in London.
In April 2025, her calligraphy piece "Free and Easy Wandering" (《逍遥游》) appeared on an ultra-large screen in New York's Times Square.
In June 2025, her calligraphy piece "Three Realms of Zhuangzi" (《庄子三境》) was invited to be featured on the giant screen in Hong Kong's Causeway Bay as part of an international showcase curated by London’s Plogix Gallery.
Ren also applies her artistic vision to entrepreneurship. She founded an online platform to exhibit and promote her artwork, achieving notable success through practical experience. In 2023, she donated her oil painting "Light After the Storm", which raised AUD 10,000 at auction to support Australia's representative at the Mrs. Global International Finals. Her artworks have been collected in Australia, the United States, France, China, and beyond. Her future in art is promising and full of potential.
Jingmin Ren is currently a member of the Multicultural Advisory Committee (MAC) of Waverley Council, Chairperson of the Asian Pacific Region Arts and Artists Alliance, Executive Vice President of the Australian Painting Academy , and Founder of Jingmin Art. She is also a member of the Art Gallery of New South Wales (AGNSW), a member of the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia (MCA), a member of the Australia New Art Association, as well as other art associations.
About the Critic:
Wang Mingke, renowned artist, is a disciple in the artistic lineage of the famous Zhang Daqian’s Dafeng Studio. He is currently the President of the Australian Institute of Arts, a National First-Class Artist, a senior arts and crafts specialist, and a professor.
Resource: 在东西方文化交汇处闪光—评任静敏绘画艺术
