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YANG SHAN-SHEN 

 

Yang Shan Shen (1913 - 2004) was born at Chiqi, Taishan in Guangdong Province. He was one of the masters of the Lingnan School. In addition to being greatly influenced by two masters of the Lingnan School, Gao Jianfu and Gao Qifeng, Yang was also inspired by Japanese ink painting. In 1936, Yang travelled to Japan and was enrolled into the Domoto Art Institute, Kyoto and studied with the well-known painter Domoto Insho.The present work reveals the influence of the Japanese artist Taheuchi Seiho (1864-1942) in his early years. Using a technique of plain line sketching and a well-planned composition, Yang created a hazy and harmonious atmosphere and poetic image of small birds nestling under the leaves of the intertwining branches of autumn primrose.

 

 

 

 

 In 1970, he was awarded an honorary degree from the Chinese Academic Research Institute, Taiwan. In 1999, he was awarded "Fellowship for Achievement in Visual Arts" by the Hong Kong Arts Development Council. In his late years, Yang had donated a masterpiece "Pine and Moon" which was collected by the Great Hall of the People, Beijing, China. With his superb accomplishment in and contribution to art, he was awarded a SBS from the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. On May 15, 2004, Yang passed away at his home in Hong Kong.

His works have been extensively exhibited in Hong Kong, China and overseas. In 1981, the Hong Kong Museum of Art presented his solo exhibition - "The Art of Yang Shan shen" with a catalogue published. In 1995, the Museum of Art presented again a major exhibition - "Lingnan Spirit - A Retrospective of Yang Shan shen" and published a catalogue as well.