Recently, news from Los Angeles revealed that at the concluded 8th Water International Juried Art Competition, internationally renowned artist Liu Tiefei’s Golden Mountain and Green Water won the "Honorable Mention Award." It is among the few Asian works to have earned this distinction.
Liu Tiefei explained that Golden Mountain and Green Water was inspired by the stunning scenery he experienced during his visit to Xiajian Village in Zhejiang Province, and was completed after he gained insight into the village's development history.
After thorough field visits, it was revealed that Xiajian Village had previously suffered from both poverty and severe ecological damage: the mountains were left bare due to deforestation, and rivers were strewn with garbage. Following years of transformation and development, the village has restored its verdant mountains and clear waters, earned recognition as a United Nations "Best Tourism Village," and was honored with the UN’s highest environmental award—the "Champion of the Earth." As a result, local living standards have improved significantly.
After returning to his studio, Liu Tiefei created the oil painting Golden Mountain and Green Water. In this work, the clear river reflects the lush greenery along its banks and distant mountains bathed in golden sunlight. The sparkling water captures the brilliance of the scene, with green waters and golden mountains complementing each other in radiant harmony.
Liu Tiefei said that after the exhibition, he would donate his painting Golden Mountain and Green Water to Xiajian Village, serving as a record and witness to the village’s transformation.
