Scholar Stones Series (2018–2025)

Inspired by Taihu stones, revered in Chinese culture since the Song dynasty, this series explores their sculptural beauty and symbolic presence through contemporary painting. Steve Lecru reinterprets these iconic scholar stones by combining oil painting, graffiti, calligraphy, and illusionistic techniques, creating a dialogue between traditional Chinese art and contemporary expression.

Developed during his time living in Suzhou, surrounded by classical gardens and historical stone collections, the series reflects a deep engagement with the cultural and spiritual significance of these forms. Influenced by artists such as Tai Xiangzhou and Zhou Chunya, Lecru approaches each stone as a living entity, balancing careful observation with spontaneous gestures.

Through layered marks and contrasting techniques, the works evoke themes of memory, materiality, and cross-cultural dialogue, inviting the viewer to reconsider the quiet vitality and enduring presence of stone.