In the course of his forty years as a practicing artist, Yu Nancheng has long since internalized lessons from foreign artistic practices, but is equally aware of the inherent allure that traditional Chinese culture holds. Many of his works, however, shy away from the concerns of tradition and influence, and give prominence to pure form and technique, exalting the artwork in terms of creation more than connotation.
The nudes of Yu Nan Cheng are examples of his exemplified forms. Modernizing the formal interpretation of the nude, the artist adds contemporary influence in terms of technique, composition and calibration of the subject. The sweeping undulations of his palette knife carefully impress layer upon layer of paint to create texture that captures depth and the natural curves of the female body. Etching out edges (as seen in the hair) with the same virtuosity as his smooth contours, the careful application of paint captures light and shadow, surpassing the limits of medium and color to produce a striking resemblance to reality. The figure partially covers herself and is disengaged from the viewer, but the use of color accentuates the warmth and sensuality of her form, conveying delicate femininity and seduction.
He is known as Mr. Fish due to the resemblance of his family name to the word 'fish' in mandarin.
