HU CHUNGHSIEN(1912-1989)
Born in 1912, Hu Chung-Hsien started photography in elementary school. He later became a reporter for the Suzhou Morning News, and founded the “Coral Photography Agency” that specialized in human portraiture. He entered “Inspiration Group” photography stock in 1937, and became the official photographer for Chiang Kai-Shek, the president of the Republic of China. Because, he was highly valued and trusted by the president and First Lady, he served the post for over thirty-five years, until the president’s passing in 1975. His work also received high praise from artist Long Chinsan and Chang Daqian. In 1980, Chang Daqian invited Hu to his garden, where Hu took several photos of his plum blossoms and lotus. Chang admired these photographs so much that he made poems and wrote on the pictures to praise how beautifully Hu captured the essence of these flowers. Pacific Asia Museum in California, held “Adobe of Illusions- The Garden of Chang Daqian” in 1983 - the year of Chang Daqian’s passing, featuring the work of Hu Chung-Hsien, where he achieve exposure and fame.
CHANG DAQIAN(1899-1983)
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.
TAI JINGNONG(1902-1990)
Born in Anhui, China. A well-known writer and literary critic long-term concentrated study of Chinese classical literature. history and art. profound knowledge each with a unique academic ideas. In his early years, he was an "Unnamed community members” affiliated with Lu Xun. He had taught at Fu Jen Catholic, Qilu, Shandong, Xiamen Zhu University and Sichuan Jiangjin Women's Teachers College. In his late years, he was a professor of National Taiwan University and a book writer. His calligraphy medium ranged from ink inscriptions, Stele, Beiban and other ink mediums. He is also good at carving, painting. Before the out break of the War of against Japan, he taught at Fu Jen Catholic University, Shandong University. After the war, he went to Taipei and became the professor and chairman of the National Taiwan University.
MI SOU(1897-1987)
Chen Ding-Shan was born in Zhejiang Province, Well versed in painting and poetry, he took the post of curator at the Shao-Zhi Museum, and founded the Shanghai Calligraphy Association and Chinese Art Association. Chen first studied the calligraphy style of artist Huang Shan-Gu and later the style of Yu Yong-Xing, however he was influenced the most by calligrapher Chu He-Nan. Upon studying the style of the masters, he established a solid foundation for himself. His early calligraphy style is free-spirited with flowing lines, whereas his later style is vigorous and heavy. In poetry, his choice of words are refined and characterized with his own distinct flair. In 1951, Chen Ding-Shen exhibited in “Ten Book Fair” at the National History Museum along with other artists including Lee Chao-Zai, Chen Zi-He, Wang Chuang-Wei and more. He continued to exhibit every year at the National Museum of History, as well as St. John’s University. Due to old age, the annual-exhibition eventually came to an end. Today, he is the author of “Qing Ming Five Hundred Years of Art Movements,” “Recent Hundred Years of Famous Painting,” “Ding Shang Poetry Collection” and many more.