Lingnan Art School ink-brush master exhibits at NAMOC

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Among the masters of traditional Chinese painting in Taiwan, Au Ho-Nien from the Lingnan Art School of painting ranks only behind such greats as Chang Ta-chien.

Now, an exhibition featuring the master's works has opened at the National Art Museum of China in Beijing. A look back at the 82-year-old master's ink and brush works. This retrospective exhibition is a formidable exploration of Au Ho-Nien's artistic works spanning his entire career.

Au Ho-Nien's painting. /CGTN Photo‍

The 130 pieces on display range from landscape, flowers and birds, animals, figures and calligraphy, all exemplifying the pinnacle of the contemporary Lingnan art school. Speaking at the opening ceremony of the exhibition, the Chinese painting master feels humbled by the exhibition recognizing his artistic legacy.

"I've dedicated my life to Chinese ink brush painting. Even at 82 years old, I've never stopped painting. I'm so honored that the National Art Museum of China has put on this retrospective exhibition for me."

The Lingnan Art School is an important painting school in China. It has a profound influence on the modern transformation of traditional Chinese paintings.

Born in 1935 in Guangdong Province, Au Ho-Nien learned from Zhao Shao'ang, a master of the second generation of the Lingnan Art School. Au inherited the tradition of the Lingnan Art School and fused Chinese and Western elements as well as traditional and modern elements in his artistic creation.

Au Ho-Nien. /Baidu Photo

After moving to Taiwan in 1970, he carried on in the spirit of the Lingnan Art School, and made great contributions to the development of ink brush painting in the region.

"Mr. Au Ho Nien, along with other traditional Chinese painters, have passed downed the Lingnan Art School of painting－one of the important schools of traditional Chinese painting－in Taiwan. And he has made great contribution to the development of the art of ink brush painting on the island.

“In the past decades, he has left many imprints in the mainland and fostered cultural exchanges across the strait," said Wu Weishan, curator of the National Art Museum of China.

The exhibition, part of the National Art Collection & Donation Incentive Program initiated by China's Ministry of Culture in 2018, runs through March 13.