Wu Ping(1920)
Wu Ping (1920–2019), with the courtesy name Kanbai, was born in Yuyao, Zhejiang. He was a Taiwanese calligrapher, painter, seal engraver, and scholar of Chinese painting and calligraphy. In 1983, he served as the Director of the Painting and Calligraphy Department at the National Palace Museum in Taiwan. After retiring from the National Palace Museum in 1991, he devoted himself to the creation, teaching, and study of painting, calligraphy, and seal engraving. Wu Ping passed away in Taipei in 2019.
Origin of Family Education and Interests
From a young age, Wu Ping followed his father, Wu Kegang, in studying calligraphy and also learned from the book "Shuowen Jiezi," an ancient Chinese dictionary from the Eastern Han dynasty. In addition to learning the basics of landscape painting from his father, he also focused on painting flowers and birds. During his secondary school years, he independently studied the painting style of Gong Xian's "Gong Banqian’s Class Sketch". Under his father's guidance, Wu Ping learned seal engraving from the Zhe School and the Eight Masters of Xiling. At the age of 17 (1936), he even had his seal engraving works displayed at the Rong Bao Zhai Wuhan branch and provided paid services for seal engraving, demonstrating his young talent and courage.[1]:74-81
Early Artistic Pursuits
During the period of the Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945), Wu Ping continued his practice in seal engraving, calligraphy, and painting while working at the Pinghan Railway Bureau. In 1945, he briefly studied painting through correspondence with Mr. Hu Peiheng for three months, but had to interrupt his studies due to high tuition fees. Additionally, during a visit to Shanghai, he was deeply fascinated by the seal impressions in Deng Sanmu's seal catalog. After the war, with the help of his uncle, Hu Weiquan, he had the chance to meet Shi Shufan, who introduced Wu to Deng Sanmu. Since then, Wu studied seal engraving under Deng Sanmu’s guidance through correspondence and seal imprints.[2]:21-22 Wu Ping developed his own artistic style, characterized by precise knife techniques, skillful use of red ink on white paper, and became recognized for his unique artistic flair.[3]:27
Social Connections and Artistic Style
In 1949, Wu Ping relocated to Chongqing, Guangzhou, and later Hong Kong with the government. During his stay in Hong Kong, he had interactions with the Buddhist monk painter Ruopiao and the artist Tang Yun. After arriving in Taiwan in 1950, he worked for the Investigation Bureau of the Ministry of Justice. During his leisure time, he continued to pursue his interests in calligraphy, painting, and seal engraving, engaging in artistic exchanges and discussions with groups such as the "Seven Qixiu Painting Society," "Hai Jiao Seal Collection," and the "Six Six Painting Society." While excelling in calligraphy and seal engraving, his focus in painting shifted towards floral themes. In addition to emphasizing the style of the Shanghai painting school, in 1952, he studied flower painting with Mr. Gao Yihong, subsequently making flowers his main subject matter. In his later years, he was influenced by the blue-and-white peony works of Hua Yan, which led to the distinctive incorporation of indigo blue into his paintings, creating a unique artistic style.[4]:29
Achievements
In 1953, Wu Ping was recommended by Ji Yuanpu, the first director of the Investigation Bureau, to hold his first solo exhibition at Zhongshan Hall.[5] In 1969, he received the Golden Medal Award from the Chinese Painting Society, and in 1978, he was honored with the Zhongshan Literary and Art Award in the seal engraving category. In 1988, he held his second solo exhibition at the National Museum of History, which marked the beginning of numerous subsequent solo exhibitions and the publication of albums showcasing his works. In 2013, at the age of 94, Wu Ping held his final major solo exhibition at the Chinese Cultural Association. In 1983, he was invited by Director Qin Xiaoyi to serve as the Director of the Painting and Calligraphy Department at the National Palace Museum. After retiring from the National Palace Museum in 1991, he dedicated himself to the creation and teaching of painting, calligraphy, and seal engraving. In 2004, the National Museum of History published a book titled "Wu Ping: Free from Resistance" in his honor, and in 2005, the book "The Calligraphy, Painting, and Seal Engraving of Wu Ping" was published.[6] Wu Ping passed away in Taipei in 2019 at the age of 100.
References
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