Exhibition of a National Treasure Artist Living in Japan — First Major Exhibition in Taiwan of Fu Baoshi’s Daughter, Fu Yiyao
- Fu Yiyao, daughter of modern master of Chinese painting and calligraphy Fu Baoshi, holds her first major art exhibition in Taiwan.
- The exhibition will be held from October 26 to November 2 at the Boai Gallery of the National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall in Taipei (1st floor, No. 505, Sec. 4, Ren’ai Rd., Xinyi Dist., Taipei City), with the opening ceremony on October 28 (Saturday) at 14:30.
- Fu Yiyao and her family donated Fu Baoshi’s works and collections to the nation, valued at billions of TWD.
- Known for her detachment from fame and fortune, Fu Yiyao’s works are found in major temples and museums overseas, such as Kyoto’s Sanjusangen-do, Myoho Sanzen-in, and the Imperial Temple Enmanji in Yokohama.
- She has received Japan’s highest art honor, the “Runya Art Award,” as the first Chinese female artist to achieve such recognition in the Japanese calligraphy and painting world.
- Honored as the “Chinese Light — Person of the Year in Promoting Chinese Culture” alongside literary figure Jin Yong, she represents the movement of Chinese culture on a global scale.
- This exhibition will showcase significant works from abroad, such as Kyoto Sanjusangen-do’s Kanzeon of Benevolent Clouds, currently housed in Sanjusangen-do in Kyoto, and Tiantai Guoqing Temple, housed in the Imperial Temple Enmanji. Visitors can experience the awe of standing before these historical temple murals.
- Many distinguished guests from around the world are expected to attend, including over 30 guests from Japan such as NHK’s former president, the chairman of the Japan Tourism Association, representatives from the Japanese Imperial family, and renowned collectors. Representatives from the Art Institute of Chicago, the British Council in Taiwan, leading scholars from museums around the world, and representatives from the three renowned Chinese art publishing houses — Shanghai Duoyunxuan, Rong Baozhai, and Jiguzhai — will join the event. Many collectors from Taiwan, Europe, and America will also attend.
This exhibition features eight series:
- Inheriting and Initiating: A series of “imitative works” specially created by Ms. Fu in homage to her father’s style.
- Oriental Art in Motion: Reproduces Ms. Fu’s renowned achievements in Japan with works like murals and depictions of folk festivals (Kanzeon of Benevolent Clouds at Kyoto’s Sanjusangen-do, Tiantai Guoqing Temple, and Awa Dance Festival in Tokushima).
- Blessings in Snow and Rain: Landscape paintings in rain and snow, inheriting the style of the Fu family and expanding its horizons.
- Classical Scenery: The “poetic painting” series embodying her father’s spirit and thousands of years of cultural essence.
- Homeland Affection: Landscape works such as the Huangshan series, expressing the artist’s deep connection to her native land.
- Elegant Blue and White Porcelain: Paintings on blue-and-white porcelain, combining the painting craftsmanship of Jingdezhen, China’s porcelain capital, with calligraphy and painting art.
- Celadon Delight: Paintings on celadon porcelain, showcasing an exquisite collaboration between Ms. Fu and Longquan celadon master Xia Houwen.
- Rare Collection: Precious artifacts such as manuscripts, seals, paintings, and calligraphy by Ms. Fu’s father, treasured by her for years.
With a graceful and delicate brush that captures a vast inner energy, Professor Fu Yiyao (1947-) creates an ink painting realm embodying the grand transformations of nature. Her art seamlessly merges strength with subtlety, and passion with restraint. Hosted by Ink Sea International Art Research Institute and co-organized by the National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall and the Wang Chen Jingwen Foundation, the exhibition “Ethereal Affection: The First Classic Art Exhibition in Taiwan by Renowned Artist Fu Yiyao” is curated by Professor Ye Guoxin, founder of Ink Sea. It will be held from October 26 to November 2 at the National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall.
Professor Fu Yiyao, cherished daughter of modern Chinese painting and calligraphy master Fu Baoshi, grew up in the company of cultural giants such as Zhang Daqian, Guo Moruo, and Lin Sanzhi. She is also the first publicly funded student to study in Japan under the personal approval of Deng Xiaoping. She has received honors including the title “Person of the Year in Promoting Chinese Culture” (in the same year, Jin Yong was awarded in the literary category) and Japan’s prestigious Runya Art Award, making her the first female Chinese artist to achieve such high status in the Japanese art world. She has been invited to appear on numerous significant programs on Japan’s NHK television, which even documented the entire creation process of her historical narrative series “The Eastward Journey of the Ancestors,” setting viewership records.
Fu excels in creating large-scale works that are both emotionally powerful and delicately poised, often imbued with a sense of Zen. Despite her remarkable artistic achievements and esteemed reputation, she remains detached from fame and fortune. Many of her works are housed in Japan’s national treasure temples, such as the Imperial Tendai Temple, Enryakuji on Mount Hiei, Kyoto’s Sanjusangen-do, and Sanzen-in, as well as world-renowned museums. Furthermore, she has repeatedly donated her father’s works, manuscripts, seals, and other valuable artifacts to national museums, with a total value exceeding billions of TWD.
