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.
