Chinese Paintings

The Gallery of China

Biography of
Professor Wang Shenglie

Wang Shenglie was born in Shenyang, China, in 1923. From April 1941 until April 1944 he studied the art of painting in Japan. In 1946 an exhibition was held displaying works painted exclusively by Wang Shenglie and his wife Lu Fuhui, who is also a famous artist. From 1949 to 1986 Wang Shenglie was, Lecturer, Associate Professor, Professor, Chairman of the Traditional Chinese Painting Department, and finally, President of the Lu Xun Academy of Fine Arts.

In 1954 his painting "Reading" was selected for the second National Arts Exhibition and was subsequently added to the Chinese National Gallery's collection. In 1958 a collection of his paintings were selected for the Moscow Arts Exhibition with whom Professor Wang Shenlie co-operated to paint "Army and Citizen Building Reservoir". This was later exhibited at the Chinese Painting Exhibition of Northeast Chinese Provinces.

From 1960 until 1962 Professor Wang Shenglie spent time in Hunan and the Jingang Mountain area of Jiangxi Province in order to paint from life. His time there was broken only for a while in 1961 when he exhibited his work in the Liaoning Gallery at a solo exhibition arranged exclusively for his paintings.

During 1962 he painted "Sea Wind" which was displayed at the National Artists Association Exhibition and was later added to the Chinese National Gallery's collection. Professor Wang Shenlie was elected onto the Council of the Chinese Artists Association in 1979.

"Hometown Children" and "Tiller" were selected for exhibition at the sixth National Arts Exhibition. "Hometown Children" was awarded the distinction of Silver Prize and subsequently added to the Chinese National Gallery's permanent collection.

Professor Wang Shenglie accepted an invitation to hold a solo exhibition of his paintings in Japan during 1986. Two years later he was elected President of the newly founded Chinese Tong Ze Calligraphy and Painting Institute. During the same year he painted the "Portrait of Xiao Chuo" which was selected by the Chinese Military Gallery for their collection.

During the following year he accepted an invitation offered by the Japanese Oriental Arts Association to join them on their 21st Touring Exhibition.

In 1990 Professor Wang Shenglie was accorded the distinction of World Famous Person by the British Museum in London.

Three years later the Gallery of Lu Xun Academy of Fine Arts held an exhibition exclusively for works painted by Wang Shenglie and his wife, Lu Fuhui.

The Korean Arts Union invited Wang Shenglie to attend and exhibit his paintings at the 1995 Guangchu International Arts Exhibition.

Soon after his return to China he founded the Wang Shenglie Arts Center at the Lu Xun Academy of Fine Arts. He also attended the Japanese Snowboat General Association Exhibition where he was awarded a special prize of distinction.

During 1997 the Wang Shenglie and Wang Pingping Painting Exhibition was held in the United States and in 1998 Wang Shenglie was awarded the honorary title of Permanent Professor of Lu Xun Academy of Fine Arts.