SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS REVIEWS

Shen Yun’s Colors Are ‘Very Unique and Very Eye-Catching,’ Says Artist

Jan 10, 2024

LUBBOCK, Texas—Artist Sherie Kirven enjoyed Shen Yun Performing Arts for the first time at the Buddy Holly Hall on Jan. 9.

At the end of the evening, Ms. Kirven, who is known for her custom paintings and hand-painted, fabric-covered shoes, was mesmerized by the beauty of Shen Yun. It was a treat for both the eyes and the heart.

“They were great. I loved the colors and combinations. Whoever did the art directing did amazing,” she exclaimed. “I was just thinking that I need to do more colorful art and use brighter colors [in my work.]”

As a professional artist, Ms. Kirven said Shen Yun’s use of colors was “very unique and very eye-catching.”

“It’s hard to put those colors together. Those bright colors—usually, you don’t see those put together, but [Shen Yun made them] look good,” she expressed.

“It’s very easy on the eye. The yellows and the lime greens, and then the coral and cobalt blues, purples—all of those colors are very risky to use, and they did a really good job combining them all. It’s enjoyable.”

Based in New York, Shen Yun is the world’s premier classical Chinese dance and music company.

Its artists are seeking to revive the glory of China’s 5,000 years of history and share through a series of short dance pieces, all that is good and beautiful in China before communism.

Having expanded from one to eight equally-sized companies since its establishment in 2006, the artists are slated to perform in over 200 cities worldwide in 2024.

Through Shen Yun’s performance, Ms. Kirven said she felt a message of “love and peace, and people coming together.”

She especially enjoyed the story-based dance depicting people helping each other in times of trouble and hoped that, in real life, we could show each other the same kindness as well.

Accompanying Ms. Kirven for the night is Mr. Tyler Stansell, the owner of a health insurance solutions company.

He, too, enjoyed the performance and thought Shen Yun was “an incredible spiritual journey.”

“The music was great, the dancing was great, the choreography was just beautiful. I loved it all. It touched me. I almost felt like I was experiencing China from 5,000 years ago to now. It was unbelievable,” Mr. Stansell said.

“It was real neat, and I felt moved. I think the [artists] put a lot of work into this whole production, and it was very neat to participate in it.”

Referring to performances by the Shen Yun vocalists, Mr. Stansell said he loved their lyrics and the idea that all humans originated from the heavens.

“I didn’t know that, so it was very fascinating. It makes you do a little self-reflection. It was unique and very enlightening,” he added. “[Shen Yun showed] a bit of ancient Chinese culture, and I’m curious to find out more about it.”

For Ms. Kirven, the essence of what she will be bringing home with her for the night is “peace and tradition.”

“Don’t lose tradition, don’t forget where you came from, and what your ancestors are about,” she stated. “For example, my great-grandmother is Cherokee, Native American, and I’m African American—know your culture, learn it, and represent it.”

Reporting by Sherry Dong and Jennifer Tseng.

The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yun’s inception in 2006.