Listening to the rain is an example of a union between the body and nature. The sound of the rain combined with the unstable pulse of our mood serves to bridge today's time with the ancient time. In such a moment, we become a young child with heroic feelings; or a traveler with deep and mixed emotions; or even a poet, pondering seriously as he or she wanders carelessly among nature.

Do you want to experience this kind of feeling? Then please stroll to the Tingyu Lou, a building whose name literally means: "listening to the rain."

Such a deep connection with nature is the culture spirit of Tingyu Lou, a culture & art company founded by Wang Yongrui, a renowned Chinese painter and collector as well as connoisseur.

Although Tingyu Lou is situated at Beijing 's business center, it still has an elegant and peaceful atmosphere. Perhaps this is an unadulterated reflection of Wang's own character.

Wang Yongrui: Master of Tingyu Lou

Wang Yongrui, who has loved drawing since his childhood, was born in 1944 in Ping County of East China's Shandong Province. In 1964 Wang joined the army before before joining an art academy in Northeast China's Heilongjiang Province as a professional painter in 1981.

In 1982 he set up the Deng Sanmu museum, which was the first artist gallery after China's Cultural Revolution (1966-1976).

From 1985 to 1987 he studied traditional Chinese painting at the China Central Academy of Fine Arts, and took part in the school's picture show, "Eight people's joint exhibition of flower-and-bird paintings."

In September of the same year Wang Yongduan was invited to hold a painting exhibition in Japan.

In 1989,Wang held joint exhibitions at the Heilongjiang Provincial Museum and the Academy of Traditional Chinese Painting.

In 2000, he published the Wang Yongrui Painting Collection.

In recent years, Wang Yongrui has been promoting the Tingyu Lou Painting Studio, and earlier this year, he went to the Southeast Asian country of Cambodia with a delegation of painters from China.

At present, Wang Yongrui is a first-class artist of the Heilongjiang Painting Institute, the vice-present of the Heilongjiang Seminar for Flower & Bird Drawings, a member of the Ancient Chinaware Seminar, and a visiting professor of Renmin University of China, as well as a distinguished member of other highly reputable organizations, associations, and institutions.

Tingyu Lou in Wang Yongrui's Eyes

Wang Yongrui has always claimed that the Chinese civilization has made remarkable contributions for human civilization. However in the last few hundred years Chinese culture was neglected by both Western and Chinese people. Therefore, Wang believes Tingyu Lou has a responsibility to gather China's outstanding artists and help them present their art to the world.

Tingyu Lou: A Pure Land in a Busy City

Tingyu Lou, located in the Beijing Business Center, has its own independent five-floor building, with three big studios, some small studios, and thirty hot spring guest rooms. It is one of the best places in China for renowned painters and calligraphers as well as entrepreneurs to communicate their ideals.

Tingyu Lou Culture Art Enterprises Development Co Ltd finds it an honor to carry forward the national cultural heritage. It is a comprehensive artistic organization with production, research, art appreciation, display, demonstration, purchase, collection, and sale, all in the area of calligraphy and painting.

The organization also organizes association for calligraphy and painting and offers artistic consultation to enterprises, providing first-class service for artware investment consultation, high grade artistic design, and so on.

Tingyu Lou has a widespread relationship with people from the artistic circle, including collectors and enterprisers, and meanwhile has obtained the understanding and social support as well as the affirmation and admiration from many friends.

(chinaculture.org September 2, 2005)