Fang Zhaolin (Chinese, –2006)

Timeline

1914
Born on 17 January, Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, China, eldest of two daughters of industrialist Fang Shouyi and his wife Wang Shuying
1925
Her father assassinated
1927
Began to study under the private tuition of Tao Bofang and Madam Yang Sizhen (1896-1972), and took a keen interest in calligraphy
1933
Studied bird and flower painting under Chen Jiucun (1898-1957), and landscape painting under Qian Songyan (1899-1985) in Wuxi Art College, China
1937
Entered University of Manchester, UK, to study Modern European History. Prior to this, had studied at Jing Zhi Girls’ School, Wuxi; Morning Star School, Shanghai; St. Joseph’s Girls’ College, Qingdao; Guang Hua University, Shanghai, China
1938
Married Fang Xingao, eldest son of General Fang Shuping
1939–1947
1939-47 At the outbreak of The Second World War, she left UK for New York, USA via Norway. Later, returned to Shanghai and then back to Hong Kong. When the Japanese occupied Hong Kong, the family (then with six children) took refuge in Guilin, Guiyang, Chongqing, Tianjin and Shanghai. Upheavals and hardships during this period made it impossible for her to paint for some ten years
1950
1950 Returned to Hong Kong where her husband died suddenly, leaving eight very young children. She took over her husband’s export/import business and brought up the children by herself
1950
Became a student of Zhao Shao’ang (1905-1998), painting mainly bird and flower
1953–1954
Became a pupil of Zhang Daqian (1899-1983) who then moved to Brazil
1954
Entered University of Hong Kong to study Chinese Philosophy and Literature under Rao Zongyi, Liu Baimin, Tang Junyi and others
1956
Entered Oxford University, UK to conduct research on Odes of the Chu Kingdom for two years
1957
Participated in Sinologist conferences in Munich and Marbourg Universities, Germany
1958
Moved Oxford, UK for USA
1960
Gave lectures on painting, Museum of University of Oregon, USA
1960
Travelled and studied with Zhang Daqian at Freer Gallery, Washington, DC and Boston Museum of Fine Arts, USA
1960
Met painters Wang Shaoling (1909-1989), Wang Jiqian (1906-2002), Walasse Ting (1928 -2010), Fang Junbi (1898-1986), Ceng Xian Qi (1919-2000) and others
1961
Travelled to Sao Paulo, Brazil to resume studies with Zhang Daqian and had access to his collection of Chinese paintings
1961
Moved to London and travelled extensively in Europe, drawing inspiration from the Alps, the Pyrenees, the Lake District and the Highlands of Scotland
1962
Returned to China for a visit for the first time since 1949, visiting first her family in native Wuxi and then Shanghai, Hangzhou, Hankou and Beijing
1962
Studied western painting, experimented with oils and visited museums and galleries in UK
1963
Began to shift emphasis from bird and flower to landscape painting in London studio
1970
Resumed studies under Zhang Daqian for one year in Carmel, California, USA. Inspired by scenery of Carmel and Yosemite National park, a number of new style paintings were created
1970
Toured to the west coast of USA with Zhang Daqian and had access to the collection of Zhang
1972
Painting “Tranquillity” was collected by British Museum, London, UK
1972
Returned to China, travelled to gain inspiration and to meet artists
1973
Returned to China to visit Huang Shan
1973
Met artists Wu Zuoren (1908-1997), Li Keran (1907-1989), Tao Yiqing (1914-1986), Xiao Shufang (1911-2005), Li Hu (1919-1975) and others in Beijing, China
1977
Returned to China and toured to Guangzhou, Zhengzhou, Xi’an, Luoyang and Beijing
1980
Returned to China, sailed from Nanjing to the upper Yangtze River to visit the Yangtze Gorges, and visited Beijing, Nanjing and Chongqing to meet various artists
1986
Visited Huang Shan for the second time, and Hua Mountain
1988
Awarded Grand Prize Zhongshan Cup, “Beijing International Ink and Wash Exhibition”, Chinese Painting Research Institute and Chinese Artists Joint Association, China
1992
Awarded Painter of the Year 1991, Hong Kong Artists’ Guild, Hong Kong
1994
Awarded Honorary Degree in Literature, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
1997
Honorary Professor, Shanghai Jiaotung University, China
1998
Awarded Honorary Doctorate Degree, Soka University, Tokyo, Japan
1999
Started being represented by Alisan Fine Arts, Hong Kong
2000
Awarded highest honor, Tokyo Fuji Art Museum, Japan
2000
“Joy of Hiking” selected as greeting card, UNICEF
2000
Interviewed by Alice King on 12 November for the book World of CY Tung. Title of article ‘A brief chat about some Chinese painters in Europe’, World of CY Tung, Chinese University Press, Hong Kong, 2004, P.432
2003
Awarded Bronze Bauhinia Star, HKSAR government, Hong Kong
2006
Passed away in Hong Kong on 16 February 2006, 93 years old

Exhibitions

2012
Solo exhibition “Fang Zhaoling, Vigorous and Fresh Chinese Ink Painting”, Alisan Fine Arts, FINE ART ASIA, Hong Kong Exhibition & Convention Centre, Hong Kong
2008
“Hong Kong Art: Open Dialogue” Exhibition Series II– “New Ink Art: Innovation and Beyond”, curated by Alice King, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong
2006
Solo Exhibition, Zhejiang West Lake Art Museum, Hangzhou, China
2005
“Fang Zhaoling: A Life in Painting”, Asian Art Museum of San Francisco– Chong-Moon Lee Centre for Asian Art and Culture, USA
2001
“Kaleidoscope: A Group Show of Contemporary Hong Kong Art 2001” with 8 artists including Lui Shou Kwan, Fang Zhaoling and Wucius Wong, Alisan Fine Arts, Hong Kong
2001
Solo Exhibition, Hong Kong Central Library, Hong Kong
2000
“An Ode to Earth and Life: The World of Fang Zhaoling”, Tokyo Fuji Art Museum, Japan
1999
“Works by Dr Fang Zhaoling”, Soka Gakkai International of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
1998
Exhibition, National Art Museum of China, Beijing, China
1997
Solo exhibitions of calligraphy and painting, Shanghai Art Museum; National Art
1997
Museum of China, Beijing; Shenzhen Art Museum, China; Kulturzen-Trumvilla Sachsen, Katholische Akademie, Germany
1994
“The Passionate Realm: A retrospective of Fang Zhaoling”, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong
1988
Solo exhibition, Fung Ping Shan Museum, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
1987
Four-artist group exhibition with Wu Guangzhong (1919-2010), Wang Jiqian (1907-2003) and Song Wenzhi (1919-1999), Hong Kong Arts Centre, Hong Kong
1986
Solo exhibition, Hefei Museum, Anhui, China
1986
Group exhibition of 40 Chinese painters from Hong Kong, Macau, overseas and mainland
1986
China, organized by Chinese University of Hong Kong and Mingpao, City Hall, Hong Kong
1985
Four-artist group exhibition, Hong Kong Arts Centre, Hong Kong
1984
Exhibition, Fung Ping Shan Museum, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
1984
Exhibition of Hong Kong Arts Festival, Hong Kong Arts Centre, Hong Kong
1984
“Fang Zhaoling 70th Anniversary Exhibition”, Hong Kong Arts Centre, Hong Kong
1983
Solo exhibition, organized by Shanghai Ministry of Culture, Shanghai Art Museum, China
1983
Exhibition of Hong Kong Arts Festival, Hong Kong Arts Centre, Hong Kong
1982
Exhibition, Hugh Moss Gallery, London, UK
1981
“Art’81 Exhibition”, Fung Ping Shan Museum, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
1981
Solo exhibitions, arranged by the Ministry of Culture, National Art Museum of China, Beijing; Nanjing, Wuxi, China
1978
Solo exhibitions, Hugh Moss Gallery, London, UK; City Hall, Hong Kong
1978
“Art’78 Exhibition”, Fung Ping Shan Museum, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
1978
“Hong Kong Artists-the Early Generation”, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong
1977
Solo exhibition, Raya Gallery, Melbourne, Australia
1975
Solo exhibition, Mickelson Gallery, Washington, DC, USA
1974
Exhibition, Zachary Waller Gallery, Los Angeles, USA
1973
Solo exhibition, Mickelson Gallery, Washington, DC, USA
1972
Solo Exhibition, Hugh Moss Gallery, London, UK
1971
Solo exhibition, Ji Gu Zhai Art Gallery, Hong Kong
1968
Solo exhibition, Grosvenor Galley, London, UK
1967
Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, London, UK
1967
“Contemporary Chinese Painting Exhibition”, Scottish National Museum of Modern Art, Edinburg, UK
1963
Solo exhibition, Pioneer Museum, Higgin Gallery, Stockton, California, USA
1962
Solo exhibitions, Foyles Art Gallery, London; Durham University, UK
1961
Solo exhibitions, Victoria Memorial Hall, Singapore; St. John’s Cathedral, Hong Kong
1960
Exhibition, Museum of University of Oregon, USA
1960
Solo exhibitions, Doll and Richards Gallery, Boston; Kennedy Gallery, New York, USA; Montreal, Canada
1960
Solo exhibition, De Young Memorial Museum; Chamber of Commerce, San Francisco, USA
1957–1958
Solo exhibitions, Oxford University, Cambridge, UK; Munich University, Germany
1956
Solo exhibition, Hong Kong Chinese Women’s Club, Hong Kong
1955
Solo exhibition, Fung Ping Shan Library, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
1955
Solo exhibition, sponsored by China Society, Penang, Malaysia
1953–1954
Joint exhibition with Zhao Shao’ang, Leeds University, Marlborough Fine Arts Gallery, London, UK
1953–1954
Joint exhibitions, Vallotton Gallery, Lausanne, Switzerland; Musée d’Orsay, Paris, France
1952
1952 Joint exhibition with Yang Shanshen (1913-2004), Hu Yuki (1927- ) and Lu Canming (1892-1963, father of Lui Shou Kwan), sponsored by Singapore Art Society, Singapore; Penang, Malaysia
1951
Joint exhibition with Zhao Shao’ang, presented by Asahi Shimbun, Mitsukoshi
1951
Department Store, Tokyo, Japan, which was the first Chinese art exhibition since the war
1933
Group Exhibition of Bailang Art Society, Wuxi, China

Public Collections

Jiangsu Art Museum, Nanjing, China
Shanghai Art Museum, China
Wuxi Museum, China
Fung Ping Shan Museum University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong
The Shuisongshi Shanfang Collection, Hong Kong
The Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, USA
Museum of the University of Oregon, USA
British Museum, London, UK
Durham University Museum, UK
Liverpool University, UK
Scottish National Museum of Art, Edinburgh, UK
University of Cambridge, UK
University of Oxford, UK
V&A Museum, London, UK
Cologne Museum of Art, Germany

Literature

2012
Fang Zhaoling, Vigorous and Fresh Chinese Ink Painting, Exhibition catalogue, Alisan Fine Arts, Hong Kong
2008
Hong Kong Art: Open Dialogue Exhibition Series II– New Ink Art: Innovation and Beyond, curated by Alice King, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong
2007
Calligraphy by Fang Zhaoling, Cosmo Books, Hong Kong
2005
Fang Zhaoling: A Life in Painting, Asian Art Museum of San Francisco– Chong-Moon Lee Centre for Asian Art and Culture, USA
2000
An Ode to Earth and Life: The World of Fang Zhaoling, Tokyo Fuji Art Museum, Japan
1999
Tranquil Minds and Nature’s Resonance, by Fang Zhaoling and Daisaku Ikeda, Cosmos Books, Hong Kong
1997
Works by Fang Zhaoling Vol. 1 & 2, Shuan Zhou Tong, Hong Kong
1994
The Passionate Realm: A retrospective of Fang Zhaoling, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong
1992
Works by Fang Zhaoling, Hong Kong University Press, Hong Kong
1988
Chinese Painting by Fang Zhaoling, Fung Ping Shan Museum, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
1984
Woks published in The Experience of Art, 20th Century Chinese Paintings from the Shuisongshi Shanfang Collection
1983
Fang Zhaoling Portfolio, Hong Kong University Press, Hong Kong
1982
Works published in Some Recent Developments in 20th Century Chinese paintings: A Personal View, edited by Hugh Moss
1981
Fang Zhaoling- Paintings and Calligraphy, published in Shanghai, China
1972
A World Beyond all Books-The Paintings and Calligraphy of Fang Zhaoling, published in London, UK
1951
Recent Paintings by Fang Zhaoling, published in Tokyo, Japan
English (US)

©2024 Artnet Worldwide Corporation. All rights reserved.