ZHONG CHENG

Chang Daqian was born in Sichuan, China. His mother began his artistic training at an early age. As a young adult he followed his brother to Kyoto to learn drawing and textile dyeing technique. Returning to China, he studied traditional painting from well-known calligraphers and painters Li Ruiqing and Zeng Xi. As a firm believer in Buddhism, he is an expert in depicting elements of nature, such as landscape, portraits and flowers especially lotus. In 1930s, Chang was equally acclaimed as Qi Baishi, they were referred as the masters of opposite region "South Chang, North Qi." After a three-year quest to imitate murals and sculptures of Dunhuang cave, his style took a drastic transition. He was known as the "Li Bai of Painting." In the 1950s, Chang was mostly oversea, he first arrived in India to exhibit his painting, then lived in Argentina, Brazil, and then U.S where he exhibited his work. The western art scene honor Chang Daqian with the name "Oriental Brush" his fame comparable to Picasso. He received a gold medal from the International Society of Arts. He was also elected for "First of the International Contemporary Painter”, and given the title “The World's Most Prestigious Contemporary Chinese Painter”. In his twilight years, he still engaged in the exploration and innovation of Chinese painting. He passed away in 1983, completing his last and final work titled “The Mountain of Lu” the work is now available for viewing at the “Chang Daqian Residence” a donation from the National Palace Museum.