John McLean works in his studio in London. The British abstract painter's works are now on display in Beijing. Photos provided to China Daily
After helping stage Irish-American artist Sean Scully's second China show in April, British curator Philip Dodd is now presenting Scottish abstract painter John McLean's works in Beijing.
Like Singing and Dancing, McLean's retrospective being shown at the Central Academy of Fine Arts, has dozens of his paintings since the 1960s－rich in colorful shapes and inspired by music.
The artist once said that although abstract, his works are mostly affected by natural light.
McLean couldn't attend the opening ceremony on June 30 due to poor health. But he talked about his artistic concept in an email from London: "When a bird sings, no one asks what it means. In that sense, my paintings have the same meaning as a bird's (song)."
