Born and raised in the ancient city of Kashi (Kashgar), northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, local oil painting artist Kurbanjan Ulam wields his paintbrush to capture the unique charm and cultural richness of his historical hometown.
In his oil painting collections, including "Kashi in Sunshine" and "New Looks of Kashi's Ancient City", Kurbanjan employs striking colors to depict the stunning ancient architecture and landscapes of the city, saying that he always finds something new to paint.
"Kashi in Xinjiang has many ancient Gaotai residences like those over there. Every time I drive past these residences, they appear different, because at various times, between 8:00 to 11:00 in the morning, the light and shade of the Gaotai residences change continuously, depending on how the sunlight strikes them. I'm interested in the ancient Gaotai residential area. I find every piece of soil and every brick attractive, so I like the ancient Gaotai residential area very much," Kurbanjan said.
His works do more than showcase architecture - they also vividly narrate the lives of local residents, reflecting the energy of Kashi's vibrant bazaars and cultural traditions.
"I was first introduced to oil painting back in 2001, when I was still in the first grade of junior high school. My art teacher was an oil painting artist and showed me a collection of Vincent van Gogh's masterpieces. I've become particularly interested in oil painting since then, so I chose to portray Kashi in this form. Oil paintings are the perfect medium for showing the charm of Kashi. This style of painting can unfold to create an extraordinary visual effect," said the artist.
Over the past 24 years, Kurbanjan has continuously painted the ancient city of Kashi. To him, every visit opens up new ways of seeing, offering perspectives that renew his passion and creativity.
"Every time I come, I feel continually surprised to discover a different new side to Kashi's ancient city, so I keep expanding my painting collection 'New Looks of Kashi's Ancient City'," the artist noted.
Through his canvases, Kurbanjan not only records the transformation of Kashi, but also hopes to share Xinjiang's stories with wider audiences.
"My paintings bear witness to the transformation of Kashi. I hope my creations will help more people learn about Kashi, and understand Xinjiang," said Kurbanjan.
Oil painting artist captures enduring charm of ancient city in Xinjiang
Oil painting artist captures enduring charm of ancient city in Xinjiang
