Recently, over a glass of wine, a friend asked that I show him the works of Chen Li, a Chinese contemporary artist whom I represent and whose paintings I collect. Having looked through my catalogue, he remarked "I really like his work but I must have horrible taste because real contemporary art is all about angst and these paintings make me happy." That got me thinking.

By the River

This painting of the river Longchangiang by the Chinese contemporary artist Chen Li (b. 1971), is perhaps best described by the words of Langston Hughes, a 20th century American jazz-poet, writer and social activist (1902-1967).

Happy. And the Art of Being.

Chen Li's swirling lines and harmonious colours convey the magic of a still mountain top, the movement of the wind, the viscousness of heat. For him, it's about searching for and finding a feeling of deep happiness, and expressing it through his work.