The Artistic Transmission – Art Exhibition of Fu Baoshi & Fu Yiyao, curated by Dr. Ye Guo-Shin of Mo Hai Lou, will be held grandly in the First Exhibition Hall of Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall from October 19 to November 6 this year. On November 2 at 3:00 PM, a special discussion will be held featuring Ms. Fu Yiyao and art authentication expert Dr. Ye Guo-Shin. This highly anticipated conversation between the daughter of a renowned artist and an expert in authentication is expected to offer invaluable insights. Curator Dr. Ye expressed that the exhibition not only showcases several classic works by Ms. Fu Yiyao but also includes authentic masterpieces by Fu Baoshi himself. The exhibition emphasizes the unique artistic lineage between father and daughter while providing visitors with a profound cultural experience.

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A Modern Master: Fu Baoshi

Fu Baoshi (1904–1965) was a celebrated Chinese painter, seal carver, art historian, theorist, and educator. His mastery extended across painting, calligraphy, and seal carving, and he made significant contributions to Chinese art history, authoring several major works on Chinese painting. His influence on modern Chinese art development was profound.

Drawing from his extensive research into art history, Fu Baoshi’s painting style was informed by a wide range of influences, from Song and Yuan dynasties (e.g., Mi Fu and Mi Youren, Ma Yuan and Xia Gui, and Wang Meng) to Ming and Qing artists like Mei Qing, Xiao Yuncong, and Gong Xian. Fu Baoshi excelled in both landscape and figure painting, achieving unparalleled heights in both genres.

In landscape painting, he created unique techniques, such as the “scattered brushstrokes on wet paper,” which imbued his work with a soft and misty quality. His figure paintings often referenced classical literature, drawing inspiration from subjects such as Xiangjun and Shangui. Rather than merely illustrating poems or texts, Fu Baoshi infused his works with deep personal interpretation and emotional resonance. His portrayal of the gaze in his figures is particularly extraordinary.

Fu Baoshi’s works inherited Shi Tao’s innovative spirit in landscape painting, breaking free from the traditional constraints of ink painting by blending classical influences with natural observations. He forged a style characterized by unrestrained freedom, establishing a new paradigm for modern Chinese ink painting. His legacy represents a transformative bridge between the old and the new in Chinese landscape art.

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Fu Yiyao: A Modern Artistic Pioneer

Fu Yiyao (1947–), daughter of the legendary Fu Baoshi, has maintained close ties with figures such as Zhang Daqian, Guo Moruo, Lin Sanzhi, and Lin Fengmian. In 1979, she pursued studies in Japan under the guidance of Hirayama Ikuo, Shioide Hideo, and Aoyama San’u. Her artistic acclaim is international, and she enjoys close connections with the Japanese imperial family.

Fu Yiyao has exhibited at the United Nations and holds a revered position in the Japanese art world. She was the first foreign artist to win Japan’s highest art award, the Ringa Art Prize. She has also appeared on major NHK programs, including Top 100 National Treasures and Sunday Museum, garnering high viewership.

Her published works include I Have Good Teachers, My Father Fu Baoshi, My Years in Japan, Fu Yiyao Art Collection, Twelve Festivals of Color, and Fu Yiyao’s Ink Painting Collection (published by Kodansha in Japan).

Fu Yiyao’s works span a variety of themes, including temple murals, traditional festivals, poetic landscapes, and classical Chinese scenery. Her pieces are housed in prestigious shrines and temples across Japan, such as the National Treasure Hall of Enryakuji Temple on Mount Hiei, Sanjusangendo in Kyoto, Ohara Sanzenin Temple, Yokohama Enmanji Temple, and Ryuto-in Temple in Nagano Prefecture. Notable works include The Spread of Buddhism to the East, Mount Hiei Enryakuji Temple, Tiantai Mountain Guoqing Temple, Four Seasons of Sanzenin, The Suwa Taisha Onbashira Festival, and Zhang Qian’s Expedition to the Western Regions.

Known for her grand-scale creations, Fu Yiyao’s style is bold, emotional, and atmospheric, yet detailed and meditative. Her works seamlessly blend grandeur with subtlety, embodying a unique Zen-inspired aesthetic.

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“Transmission” – The Essence of the Exhibition

The term “Transmission” in the title refers to multiple layers of meaning: the transmission of artistic knowledge from Fu Baoshi to Fu Yiyao; the familial bond between father and daughter; and the broader aesthetic legacy shared among literati. Fu Baoshi’s guiding principle, “Treasure the landscapes within and master the techniques of the ancients,” encapsulates his life’s philosophy and serves as a beacon for his daughter.

Fu Baoshi’s influence on Fu Yiyao extended beyond techniques to encompass an aesthetic sensibility and spiritual refinement. He often encouraged her to “strive for self-improvement,” a simple yet profound mantra. For Fu Baoshi, self-improvement went beyond tireless effort; it meant achieving an artistic vision free from reliance on others. This vision, rooted in deep personal observation and reflection, melds the landscapes of the heart with classical techniques.

Fu Yiyao’s works vividly reflect her father’s aesthetic philosophy. This exhibition, curated by Dr. Ye Guo-Shin, aspires to perpetuate the Fu family’s artistic legacy and inspire future generations.

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Exhibition Sponsors:
Taiwan Tobacco and Liquor Corporation
OMAR Single Malt Whisky
Shang Chieh International Co., Ltd.