I was first exposed to the works of Shiong Niuliang on a rainy Tuesday afternoon in 1987. I was attending at conference in Melbourne Australia and had an hour or so to kill. As I idly strolled down a street, my attention was caught by a small gallery. Its name has sadly been lost to the mists of time, but back then it was enough to draw me in.

I entered and strolled past a few watercolours of lakes. Nothing special. I was about to leave when something caught my eye. On the far wall was a portrait of a young girl with long, dark hair. She had a look on her face of shyness and friendliness, as if to say, "come, come this way..."

I followed her and found myself in a small room surrounded by magnificent portraits of beautiful women. I had discovered the world of Shiong Niuliang.

It was, as I found out later, his first exhibition outside of Asia, at the age of 49. It did not seem possible that the work could be of someone of little fame, but it was.

The striking use of colour. The textures. The ability he possessed to capture innocence, beauty, ecstasy, passion, grace and womanhood.

To this day I feel honoured to have seen one of his best paintings, "Virgin, Whore, Madonna, Mother". It sadly disappeared less than a year later, but its memory and legacy has remained.

Niuliang's career has not been without controversy. Several of his exhibitions have been banned in the Orient for the amount of exposed flesh, and indeed this book itself can not be published in several countries.

Now we look to the future, and it seems that Shiong Niuliang's work is relevant, now more than ever before.

The publication of "The Erotic Bedrooms of Shiong Niuliang" is a cause for celebration, and is a book that should be enjoyed by anyone who has ever loved.

Paul Wheller
Sydney, 1998

Message from Shiong Niuliang

"I am happy at this book being published so that the world may see my work. Thanks go to the Most High One, my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ who died for my sins so that I may live. Oh Lord, oh Lord, I do so love you!

"I secondly thank my wife, Fanny. She is a truly wonderful petal and had blessed me with a son born on her 17th birthday. She is a beautiful rosebud. I yearn to see her blossom as she grows older!

"Thanks also to all the beautiful women who have so graciously exposed their bodies, minds and souls to my artistic nature. Such beautiful women and I love them all so much.

"And thanks to the people who have supported me and come to admire my paintings over the year. God bless you all."