Norwegian Cruise Line has commissioned Chinese artist Tan Ping to design the artwork to be featured on the hull of its soon to-be-unveiled Breakaway-Plus class vessel Norwegian Joy. Scheduled for release in Summer 2017, with home porting in Shanghai and Beijing, Norwegian Joy will be Norwegian Cruise Line's first ship that is purpose-built for the Chinese market offering VIP accommodations.

Tan Ping's abstract paintings and copper plate etchings are in the collections of such renowned museums as The National Art Museum of China; Portland Art Museum, USA; Ludwig Museum, Germany; and The Shanghai Art Museum.
A painter, printmaker, and educator, Ping straddles the worlds of both art and design. He led and directed a team of designers from Central Academy of Fine Arts to complete the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games Image and Landscape Design Project.
His subject for Norwegian Joy is the phoenix, an iconic mythical bird believed to reign supreme over all birds of the world. It is a ubiquitous motif in Chinese art and can be found throughout the centuries in paintings, silk brocades, architectural flourishes, and more.
"The Phoenix symbolizes beauty and good luck in Chinese culture, and Norwegian Joy will bridge across the West and the East and bring Chinese people's best wish to the world and everyone in her path," said Professor Tan Ping.
Tan's modernistic design is simple, yet graceful, as flowing lines simultaneously convey forward movement and majestic poise. The dominant colours are red and yellow - traditionally the two most regal colors in China. Red signifies joy and yellow represents grandeur.
The design also includes hints of blue, signifying the sea.
"This design is by far my largest artwork," says Tan.
"Traveling worldwide on Norwegian Joy, I also expect that it will reach a far greater number of viewers than any of my previous works."