2.9.72
Zao Wou-ki (b. 1921)
Born in Beijing, Zao studied at the Hangzhou National College of Art under the direction of Lin Fengmian. After graduating in 1941, he remained at the college to teach. He held his first solo exhibition in Chongqing in 1948 before moving to Paris that same year. Zao's work was exhibited as part of the French pavilion at the 1960 Venice Biennial and also at the Tokyo International Biennial. The Taipei Fine Arts Museum and the Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts both organized exhibitions of his work in 1993 and 1995, respectively. In the year in between, he was awarded Japan's Premium Imperial Award for Painting. He is considered the most sought-after Chinese artist by market value, with his works garnering more than US$17 million at auctions to date. He lives in Paris.May 02, 2004