Contemporary Chinese artist Lu Hong, was born in 1959 in Quin-Huang-Dao, northeastern China.
In 1966 Mao's Cultural Revolution was set in motion. The new regime shook an entire country and also had a significant impact on its artists. To paint in any way that wasnt in either a traditional Chinese style or depicting propaganda was strictly forbidden. Ting Shao Kuang, Hong's uncle and painter, had his own troubles during this turbulent and oppressive time. Hong's father, a professor of mathematics was subjected to carrying out hard labour.
Artists who had had a taste of the West, would paint at night and either hide or burn their work to avoid discovery by authorities.
Hong was still in high school in the late 1970s, when lines of communication began to open. It was during this time that Ting paid a visit to Hong and his family.
Ting, a respected leader of the world-renowned contemporary Chinese art movement known as the Yunnan School, saw promise in his nephews artistic abilities and encouraged Hong to pursue the arts.
Hong graduated from high school, and moved in with Ting who took him under his artistic wing. Hong went on to attend the most prestigious art school in China - the Central Academy of Design and Arts in Beijing.
"All my life I was forced to think and act a certain way but after I left the academy, I began to develop my own style of thinking and painting," said Hong.
In pursuit of artistic freedom, Hong moved to the US in 1986 following in his Uncle Tings footsteps. Ting had immigrated to the US a few years earlier.
Infusing western inspiration with his own techniques, Lu Hong has become one of the most acclaimed contemporary Chinese artists in the world. His work has been exhibited in Japan, France, Holland, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Canada. In addition, he has had shows in most major American cities.
Lu Hong's works and exhibitions have been reviewed by many publications, including Art in America, Art News, Architectural Digest, Artists (Taiwan), The New York Times, Chicago Tribune, L.A. Weekly, World News and China Daily News. In 1989, Segal Fine Art published the book "Lu Hong Life and Art," by Wen-Kuang Chang and Jeffrey Goldberg.
Want to learn more about Lu Hong?
Lu Hong: The Chinese talent who took on the world
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