Asian Antiquities
Asian Antiquities
HI 96740
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ryates
Chinese Artists
Chinese Painting
Wu Zuoren
Li Keran
Artist Biographies Pg.3
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Wu Zuoren - 吴作人
Wu Zuoren (1908-1997) was born in Jingxian County, Anhui Province. He began his studies at the Department of Fine Arts at the Shanghai University of Arts in 1927. The prominent Chinese painter Xu Beihong recommended him in 1929 for an internship in France to further his art education. Wu studied in both Paris and Brussels. In 1935 Wu returned to China where he taught Painting at the Central University, then located in Nanjing. In 1946, Wu joined Xu Beihong to take over the Beijing State Academy of Arts, and subsequently served there as professor and Dean of Studies.
Since 1949, Wu occupied various positions in the world of art: he was vice-president, president and honorary president of the Central Academy of Fine Arts, and President of the Chinese Artists Association. His oil paintings and traditional Chinese brush paintings have been exhibited many times both in China and abroad. The last Exhibition of his Paintings held in Paris was met with rave reviews and universal praise.
Li Keran
李可染
1907-1989
Born in Jiangsu province, Li keran studied oil painting in France during the 1930’s and then returned back to study traditional Chinese painting alongside great masters such as Qi Baishi and Huang Binhong. Li took up several educational posts in different art institutes including the Central Academy of Fine Arts in 1945. He developed a style which brought many western elements of painting into Chinese traditional art. Li Keran was best known for his landscapes which displayed strong vivid colors such as deep reds and turquoise together with western concepts of perspectives and a strong sense of contrast. Li’s brushwork is aggressive and intentionally crude. His calligraphy accommodates his art beautifully, bringing the work into a comfortable balance. The new elements Li introduced into traditional Chinese art are landmarks in the reform of art in China during the first half of the 20th century.
