Masterpiece Room - Liao Shiou-Ping and His Artworks
2016.03.04～2016.05.01
09:00 - 17:00
Venue | Gallery 401/501 Simple Symbols‧Noble Aesthetics - Liao Shiou-Ping: the Versatile Master of Modern Art By Liao Jen-I Liao Shiou-Ping as an artist has been acclaimed as an innovator and assigned an elevated place in the art history of Taiwan. His artistic career starts with oil painting, and his passion for oil painting continues throughout his life. He combines different media to create splendorous and noble visual effects. Later, he crosses over into the realm of printmaking, attempting at exploring and expanding the horizons of printmaking with traditional media and skills. His efforts and achievements in printmaking earn himself the name of Taiwan’s Father of Modern Printmaking. In recent years, he has tried his hand at sculpture. By manipulating the virtual and visual effects of the sculptural space, he successfully transforms familiar flat symbols into a dynamic effect that interpenetrates with the space around. The multiplicity, depth and innovation of Liao’s achievements in art is remarkable, and he richly deserves the name, the Versatile Art Master. In 1936, Liao was born in Taipei, Taiwan. In 1959, Liao graduated from National Taiwan Normal University, Fine Arts B.A., and in 1964, from Tokyo University of Education, Japan. He went to France in 1965 and studied under Roger Chastel at L’école des Beaux-Arts and S. W. Hayter at Atelier 17. In 1968, he moved to the USA. He worked as teacher’s assistant at Pratt Graphics Center in New York, where he taught art and produced artworks ever since. In 1973, Liao returned home to promote printmaking. From 1973 to 1976, he taught at National Taiwan Normal University and other universities. At his encouragement, more and more young artists engaged themselves in promoting and creating prints. In 1977, he was invited to teach at University of Tsukuba, originally called the Tokyo University of Education, and set up print studios. He went back to New York in 1979 and taught and created artworks at Seton Hall University. In 2002, he came back home and taught at Taipei National University of the Arts and other universities. He has nurtured numerous celebrated artists. On his way to the world of artistic creation, Liao looks at the land around him quietly and warmly. He finds artistic elements from the daily life of the folk, creating works of visual beauty and cultural values through professional and meticulous skills and media. He renders simplicity noble and commonness elevated. Through the exhibition, we would like to show that Liao is much more than Taiwan’s Father of Modern Printmaking. In the artworks displayed in this exhibition, we witness his mastery of and artistic achievements in oil painting, printmaking and sculpture. What’s more, we see in these works not only the nobility and glory of an artist’s achievements but also the simplicity and tenderness of an artistic mind.
Venue | Gallery 401/501 Simple Symbols‧Noble Aesthetics - Liao Shiou-Ping: the Versatile Master of Modern Art By Liao Jen-I Liao Shiou-Ping as an artist has been acclaimed as an innovator and assigned an elevated place in the art history of Taiwan. His artistic career starts with oil painting, and his passion for oil painting continues throughout his life. He combines different media to create splendorous and noble visual effects. Later, he crosses over into the realm of printmaking, attempting at exploring and expanding the horizons of printmaking with traditional media and skills. His efforts and achievements in printmaking earn himself the name of Taiwan’s Father of Modern Printmaking. In recent years, he has tried his hand at sculpture. By manipulating the virtual and visual effects of the sculptural space, he successfully transforms familiar flat symbols into a dynamic effect that interpenetrates with the space around. The multiplicity, depth and innovation of Liao’s achievements in art is remarkable, and he richly deserves the name, the Versatile Art Master. In 1936, Liao was born in Taipei, Taiwan. In 1959, Liao graduated from National Taiwan Normal University, Fine Arts B.A., and in 1964, from Tokyo University of Education, Japan. He went to France in 1965 and studied under Roger Chastel at L’école des Beaux-Arts and S. W. Hayter at Atelier 17. In 1968, he moved to the USA. He worked as teacher’s assistant at Pratt Graphics Center in New York, where he taught art and produced artworks ever since. In 1973, Liao returned home to promote printmaking. From 1973 to 1976, he taught at National Taiwan Normal University and other universities. At his encouragement, more and more young artists engaged themselves in promoting and creating prints. In 1977, he was invited to teach at University of Tsukuba, originally called the Tokyo University of Education, and set up print studios. He went back to New York in 1979 and taught and created artworks at Seton Hall University. In 2002, he came back home and taught at Taipei National University of the Arts and other universities. He has nurtured numerous celebrated artists. On his way to the world of artistic creation, Liao looks at the land around him quietly and warmly. He finds artistic elements from the daily life of the folk, creating works of visual beauty and cultural values through professional and meticulous skills and media. He renders simplicity noble and commonness elevated. Through the exhibition, we would like to show that Liao is much more than Taiwan’s Father of Modern Printmaking. In the artworks displayed in this exhibition, we witness his mastery of and artistic achievements in oil painting, printmaking and sculpture. What’s more, we see in these works not only the nobility and glory of an artist’s achievements but also the simplicity and tenderness of an artistic mind.
LIAO SHIOU-PING 1936 Born in Taiwan 1959 Graduated from National Taiwan Normal University, B.F.A. 1962~64 Graduated from Tokyo University of Education, Japan 1965~68 Studied under Roger Chastel at L'école des Beaux-Arts and under S. W. Hayter at Atelier 17 in Paris 1973-91 Returned home frequently to promote the art of modern print and gave lectures in Japan, Mainland China and Hong Kong 1982 Advised active participation in international art and cultural exchange in the National Development Seminar, and organized the International Biennial Print Exhibit in the following year, which is now in its 17th edition 2009 Became Chair Professor at National Taiwan Normal University and appointed as the Dean of the Taiwan Fine Art College Liao has been awarded with the 29th National Cultural Award, Taiwan; National Literature and Art Achievement Award, Taiwan; Silver Medal of the Norwegian International Print Triennial, Norway; Honorary Prize of the 5th Egyptian International Print Triennial Exhibition, Egypt, to name a few. Exhibitions (selected) Recent major exhibitions include: Liao Shiou-Ping Solo Exhibition, Shoto Museum of Art, Tokyo, Japan; The Pioneer of Modern Printmaking in Taiwan－Liao Shiou-Ping, Chelsea Art Museum, New York; Interface•Imprint－Shiou-Ping Liao and the Development of Modern Printmaking in Taiwan, National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts, Taiwan; Cross-domain Paradigms: The Real and Virtual Imagery of Shiou-Ping Liao, General Association of Chinese Culture (GACC), Taipei; A Symphony of Printmaking and Painting: the Art of Liao Shiou-Ping, Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts, Taiwan. Over 80 exhibitions of his artworks were held in cities around the world, such as Tokyo, Paris, New York, Hong Kong, San Francisco, Shanghai and Seoul. His works were also exhibited in international print exhibitions held by the world-class museums and arts centers, such as National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo; Shoto Museum of Art, Tokyo; Grand Palais, Paris; British Museum, London; Whitney Museum of American Art, New York; Pratt Graphic Center, New York; Shanghai Art Museum, China; Taipei Fine Arts Museum, Taiwan, and the National Art Museum of China, Beijing. Collections (selected) British Museum, London, U.K / National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo, Japan / Shanghai Art Museum, Shanghai, China / Taipei Fine Arts Museum, Taipei, Taiwan / National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts, Taichung, Taiwan / Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City, U.S.A. / Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris, France / National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul, Korea / National Art Museum Of China, Beijing, China / Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
LIAO SHIOU-PING 1936 Born in Taiwan 1959 Graduated from National Taiwan Normal University, B.F.A. 1962~64 Graduated from Tokyo University of Education, Japan 1965~68 Studied under Roger Chastel at L'école des Beaux-Arts and under S. W. Hayter at Atelier 17 in Paris 1973-91 Returned home frequently to promote the art of modern print and gave lectures in Japan, Mainland China and Hong Kong 1982 Advised active participation in international art and cultural exchange in the National Development Seminar, and organized the International Biennial Print Exhibit in the following year, which is now in its 17th edition 2009 Became Chair Professor at National Taiwan Normal University and appointed as the Dean of the Taiwan Fine Art College Liao has been awarded with the 29th National Cultural Award, Taiwan; National Literature and Art Achievement Award, Taiwan; Silver Medal of the Norwegian International Print Triennial, Norway; Honorary Prize of the 5th Egyptian International Print Triennial Exhibition, Egypt, to name a few. Exhibitions (selected) Recent major exhibitions include: Liao Shiou-Ping Solo Exhibition, Shoto Museum of Art, Tokyo, Japan; The Pioneer of Modern Printmaking in Taiwan－Liao Shiou-Ping, Chelsea Art Museum, New York; Interface•Imprint－Shiou-Ping Liao and the Development of Modern Printmaking in Taiwan, National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts, Taiwan; Cross-domain Paradigms: The Real and Virtual Imagery of Shiou-Ping Liao, General Association of Chinese Culture (GACC), Taipei; A Symphony of Printmaking and Painting: the Art of Liao Shiou-Ping, Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts, Taiwan. Over 80 exhibitions of his artworks were held in cities around the world, such as Tokyo, Paris, New York, Hong Kong, San Francisco, Shanghai and Seoul. His works were also exhibited in international print exhibitions held by the world-class museums and arts centers, such as National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo; Shoto Museum of Art, Tokyo; Grand Palais, Paris; British Museum, London; Whitney Museum of American Art, New York; Pratt Graphic Center, New York; Shanghai Art Museum, China; Taipei Fine Arts Museum, Taiwan, and the National Art Museum of China, Beijing. Collections (selected) British Museum, London, U.K / National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo, Japan / Shanghai Art Museum, Shanghai, China / Taipei Fine Arts Museum, Taipei, Taiwan / National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts, Taichung, Taiwan / Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City, U.S.A. / Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris, France / National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul, Korea / National Art Museum Of China, Beijing, China / Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
Simple Symbols‧Noble Aesthetics—Liao Shiou-Ping: the Versatile Master of Modern Art By Liao Jen-I Liao Shiou-Ping as an artist has been acclaimed as an innovator and assigned an elevated place in the art history of Taiwan. Placed in the historical context of oil painting, printmaking and sculpture, he is a humble and outstanding follower. Yet, when it comes to the matter and manner of his creations, he is an innovator of originality. Liao’s artistic career starts with oil painting, and his passion for oil painting continues throughout his life. He combines oil painting with other media to create splendorous and noble visual effects. Later, he crosses over into the realm of printmaking, attempting at exploring and expanding the horizons of printmaking with traditional media and skills. His efforts and achievements in printmaking earn him the name of Taiwan’s Father of Modern Printmaking. In recent years, he has tried his hand at sculpture. By manipulating the virtual and visual effects of the sculptural space, he successfully transforms familiar flat symbols into a dynamic effect that interpenetrates with the space around. The multiplicity, depth and innovation of Liao’s achievements in art is remarkable, and he richly deserves the name, the Versatile Art Master. In 1936, Taipei, Liao was born into a well-off merchant family which enabled him to fully devote all his time and efforts to artistic creation. The results of his study and practice in art showed that he made good use of the advantages he enjoyed. From his tender age, he took in and had in his heart of hearts the spirit of the folk in every corner of Taipei. It is in Taipei that Liao cultivated a personality and temperament as noble and generous as earth. Later, over the years in his artistic career, the spirit he had internalized matured into some kind of art elements specifically belonging to this land and its people. Accordingly, tradition and modernity co-exist peacefully in his artistic work, and so do simplicity and nobility. In 1959, Liao graduated from National Taiwan Normal University, Fine Arts B. A., and in 1964, from Tokyo University of Education, Japan. He went to France in 1965 and studied under Roger Chastel at L’école des Beaux-Arts and S. W. Hayter at Atelier 17. In 1968, he moved to the USA. He worked as teacher’s assistant at Pratt Graphics Center in New York, where he taught art and produced artworks ever since. In 1973, Liao returned home to promote printmaking. From 1973 to 1976, he taught at National Taiwan Normal University, Chinese Culture University and the National Academy of Arts (now National Taiwan University of Arts). At his encouragement, the Evergreen Graphic Art Association was founded by ten young artists, who later distinguished themselves in the art history of Taiwan. From 1977 to 1979, he was invited to teach at University of Tsukuba, originally called the Tokyo University of Education, and set up print studios. From 1972 to 1992, he went back to New York and taught and created artworks at Seton Hall University. In 2002, he came back home and taught at Taipei National University of the Arts, National Taiwan University of Arts and National Taiwan Normal University. He has nurtured numerous celebrated artists. Liao is going to be eighty. He has dedicated two thirds of his life to artistic creation. It has been 45 years since he had his first formal solo exhibitions at Art Asia Gallery in Boston and at National Museum of History in Taipei in 1972. The considerable numbers of exhibitions evidence his prominence. Yet, he never slows down his step and still strives to mount another higher peak. Apart from artistic creation and education, he set up Paris Foundation of Art, which provides funds to young artists. He also founded Taiwan Academy of Fine Arts, establishing a mechanism for promoting cooperation among art groups. He is well respected in Taiwan. In terms of media and the time of acquiring mastery, Liao’s artistic career can be divided into three phases—oil painting, printmaking, and sculpture, whereas in terms of his subject matters, two phases can be distinguished—the period before the use of symbols, and the period that symbols predominates. The oil paintings created before studying abroad and during his sojourn in Paris fall in the first phase. In this phase, realistic images in the style of the Fauves prevail in his artworks. Such a style is also the characteristics of the oil painting of the Department of the Fine Arts, NTNU, which has been influenced by Liao Chi-chun. In the second phase in which symbols predominate, Liao set the basic direction and subject matter of his artworks in his artistic career. Symbols persist in his oil paintings, prints, and sculptures. In terms of symbols as the subject matter, the following series can be distinguished based on the characteristics of different periods: First, the Ink Image series: lithographs created during his stay in Japan. Liao began to include in modern art the traditional eastern symbols by making use of the symbols on the bronze vessels in lithographs. Second, the Temple Decorations and Gate Symbols series: oil paintings and etchings made while he was in France. He emphasized the flimsy division between the celestial and the mundane by means of the image of the temple door. The artworks were endowed with a sense of visual multiplicity and fantastic holiness by means of the effect of reflectiveness. Third, the Symbols of the Ceremonial Utensils series: works produced during his sojourn in France and the USA. Liao extended his interest from oil painting and etching to screen printing, which not only set a new direction for printmaking but also enabled him to make prints richly visualized and three-dimensional. Also, other than the temple door, he expanded his subject matters and brought into this series architectural elements and symbols on the ceremonious utensils. Fourth, the Daily Utensils series: works made when he taught at University of Tsukuba. During this time, sentiments felt in daily day influenced his artistic creation, and symbols of daily utensils became the carrier of his feelings and emotions. Fifth, the Symbols of Life series. In the 1980s, Liao used the visual effect of screen printing to capture time and emotions—the four seasons were visualized in the prints which emitted a delicate lyrical sentiment. Thereafter, the lyrical topic in daily life became a reflection of his mood in his middle age—as pristine as water. Yet, the 921 earthquake shook Taiwan and shattered his idyllic life. The quiet and reserved artist desired to use art to soothe the sorrowful earth and to give its people a brotherly embrace. Sixth, the Silent Image series: turning his eye back to wood blocks, he readopted the most original medium and chisels to made images of cords, signifying that people on this land stood firm, striving together to fight for their homeland. Seventh, the Dreams series: Liao fell into the abyss of darkness and nightmare after his wife’s untimely death in April, 2002. It was not until 2004 that he regained inner peace. In this series, land is the home to every life, a place where joy and sadness reside together. In spite of the sadness penetrating the works, Liao nevertheless transformed his own sadness. He embraced the sadness of the people and tenderly caressed every broken heart. On his way to the world of artistic creation, Liao looks at the land around him quietly and warmly. He finds artistic elements from the daily life of the folk, creating works of visual beauty and cultural values through professional and meticulous skills and media. He renders simplicity noble and commonness elevated. Through the exhibition, we would like to show that Liao is much more than Taiwan’s Father of Modern Printmaking. In the artworks displayed in this exhibition, we witness his mastery of and artistic achievements in oil painting, printmaking and sculpture. What’s more, we see in these works not only the nobility and glory of an artist’s achievements but also the simplicity and tenderness of an artistic mind.
Simple Symbols‧Noble Aesthetics—Liao Shiou-Ping: the Versatile Master of Modern Art By Liao Jen-I Liao Shiou-Ping as an artist has been acclaimed as an innovator and assigned an elevated place in the art history of Taiwan. Placed in the historical context of oil painting, printmaking and sculpture, he is a humble and outstanding follower. Yet, when it comes to the matter and manner of his creations, he is an innovator of originality. Liao’s artistic career starts with oil painting, and his passion for oil painting continues throughout his life. He combines oil painting with other media to create splendorous and noble visual effects. Later, he crosses over into the realm of printmaking, attempting at exploring and expanding the horizons of printmaking with traditional media and skills. His efforts and achievements in printmaking earn him the name of Taiwan’s Father of Modern Printmaking. In recent years, he has tried his hand at sculpture. By manipulating the virtual and visual effects of the sculptural space, he successfully transforms familiar flat symbols into a dynamic effect that interpenetrates with the space around. The multiplicity, depth and innovation of Liao’s achievements in art is remarkable, and he richly deserves the name, the Versatile Art Master. In 1936, Taipei, Liao was born into a well-off merchant family which enabled him to fully devote all his time and efforts to artistic creation. The results of his study and practice in art showed that he made good use of the advantages he enjoyed. From his tender age, he took in and had in his heart of hearts the spirit of the folk in every corner of Taipei. It is in Taipei that Liao cultivated a personality and temperament as noble and generous as earth. Later, over the years in his artistic career, the spirit he had internalized matured into some kind of art elements specifically belonging to this land and its people. Accordingly, tradition and modernity co-exist peacefully in his artistic work, and so do simplicity and nobility. In 1959, Liao graduated from National Taiwan Normal University, Fine Arts B. A., and in 1964, from Tokyo University of Education, Japan. He went to France in 1965 and studied under Roger Chastel at L’école des Beaux-Arts and S. W. Hayter at Atelier 17. In 1968, he moved to the USA. He worked as teacher’s assistant at Pratt Graphics Center in New York, where he taught art and produced artworks ever since. In 1973, Liao returned home to promote printmaking. From 1973 to 1976, he taught at National Taiwan Normal University, Chinese Culture University and the National Academy of Arts (now National Taiwan University of Arts). At his encouragement, the Evergreen Graphic Art Association was founded by ten young artists, who later distinguished themselves in the art history of Taiwan. From 1977 to 1979, he was invited to teach at University of Tsukuba, originally called the Tokyo University of Education, and set up print studios. From 1972 to 1992, he went back to New York and taught and created artworks at Seton Hall University. In 2002, he came back home and taught at Taipei National University of the Arts, National Taiwan University of Arts and National Taiwan Normal University. He has nurtured numerous celebrated artists. Liao is going to be eighty. He has dedicated two thirds of his life to artistic creation. It has been 45 years since he had his first formal solo exhibitions at Art Asia Gallery in Boston and at National Museum of History in Taipei in 1972. The considerable numbers of exhibitions evidence his prominence. Yet, he never slows down his step and still strives to mount another higher peak. Apart from artistic creation and education, he set up Paris Foundation of Art, which provides funds to young artists. He also founded Taiwan Academy of Fine Arts, establishing a mechanism for promoting cooperation among art groups. He is well respected in Taiwan. In terms of media and the time of acquiring mastery, Liao’s artistic career can be divided into three phases—oil painting, printmaking, and sculpture, whereas in terms of his subject matters, two phases can be distinguished—the period before the use of symbols, and the period that symbols predominates. The oil paintings created before studying abroad and during his sojourn in Paris fall in the first phase. In this phase, realistic images in the style of the Fauves prevail in his artworks. Such a style is also the characteristics of the oil painting of the Department of the Fine Arts, NTNU, which has been influenced by Liao Chi-chun. In the second phase in which symbols predominate, Liao set the basic direction and subject matter of his artworks in his artistic career. Symbols persist in his oil paintings, prints, and sculptures. In terms of symbols as the subject matter, the following series can be distinguished based on the characteristics of different periods: First, the Ink Image series: lithographs created during his stay in Japan. Liao began to include in modern art the traditional eastern symbols by making use of the symbols on the bronze vessels in lithographs. Second, the Temple Decorations and Gate Symbols series: oil paintings and etchings made while he was in France. He emphasized the flimsy division between the celestial and the mundane by means of the image of the temple door. The artworks were endowed with a sense of visual multiplicity and fantastic holiness by means of the effect of reflectiveness. Third, the Symbols of the Ceremonial Utensils series: works produced during his sojourn in France and the USA. Liao extended his interest from oil painting and etching to screen printing, which not only set a new direction for printmaking but also enabled him to make prints richly visualized and three-dimensional. Also, other than the temple door, he expanded his subject matters and brought into this series architectural elements and symbols on the ceremonious utensils. Fourth, the Daily Utensils series: works made when he taught at University of Tsukuba. During this time, sentiments felt in daily day influenced his artistic creation, and symbols of daily utensils became the carrier of his feelings and emotions. Fifth, the Symbols of Life series. In the 1980s, Liao used the visual effect of screen printing to capture time and emotions—the four seasons were visualized in the prints which emitted a delicate lyrical sentiment. Thereafter, the lyrical topic in daily life became a reflection of his mood in his middle age—as pristine as water. Yet, the 921 earthquake shook Taiwan and shattered his idyllic life. The quiet and reserved artist desired to use art to soothe the sorrowful earth and to give its people a brotherly embrace. Sixth, the Silent Image series: turning his eye back to wood blocks, he readopted the most original medium and chisels to made images of cords, signifying that people on this land stood firm, striving together to fight for their homeland. Seventh, the Dreams series: Liao fell into the abyss of darkness and nightmare after his wife’s untimely death in April, 2002. It was not until 2004 that he regained inner peace. In this series, land is the home to every life, a place where joy and sadness reside together. In spite of the sadness penetrating the works, Liao nevertheless transformed his own sadness. He embraced the sadness of the people and tenderly caressed every broken heart. On his way to the world of artistic creation, Liao looks at the land around him quietly and warmly. He finds artistic elements from the daily life of the folk, creating works of visual beauty and cultural values through professional and meticulous skills and media. He renders simplicity noble and commonness elevated. Through the exhibition, we would like to show that Liao is much more than Taiwan’s Father of Modern Printmaking. In the artworks displayed in this exhibition, we witness his mastery of and artistic achievements in oil painting, printmaking and sculpture. What’s more, we see in these works not only the nobility and glory of an artist’s achievements but also the simplicity and tenderness of an artistic mind.
Works
