Hsiao CHIN
1935, China
Hsiao Chin bography:
Continental China
1935 Hsiao Chin was born in Shanghai on January 30th. His father : Hsiao Yu-mei or Hsiao Xue-peng as he was also known, was famous in Shanghai for founding the first conservatory of music in the city in 1927. He and his sister Xue-zhenen, born in 1937, were brought up by their mother Qi Cuei-zhen, known as Wen-lan, as protestants.
1940 His father died of tuberculosis.
1945 His mother died of cancer.
1949 Having lived with an aunt for several years, the children were separated :
Hsaio Chin went to live with his uncle Wang Shih-chieh in Taiwan, whereas his sister, a gifted painist, went to live with
a couple who were artists.
Taiwan
1950 While he was attending Taipei Middle School, Hsiao Chin, also enrolled at the Scool of Art, where he studied drawing under the tuition of Chu Teh-Chun, and he joined the studio of Li Chun-Shan whose work had been very much inflenced by the west, and was considered to be quite unconventonal. Li Chun-Shan felt that there was a " wild " side to him, and worked with him on composition and colours. A number of self portraits painted in oil, and several very colourful works date from this period, showing clearly the influence of Cézanne, Gauguin and Matisse.
1954 He qualified as a teacher, and began to teach in the Ching-Mei Elementary School.
His sister was admitted to a psychiatric hospital that same year, suffering from schizophrenia.
1955 Although martial law had been imposed, Hsaio Chin and seven other Chineseartists took the risk of founding Ton-Fan, in pinyin dongfang huahui 东方画会 Orient Movement, the first movement in Chinese art, rather abstact art. Fortunately the regime was unfamiliar with avant-garde art, and the group was able to work. The following year, they organised their first exhibition at the Taipei News Building, Chughua Road. People rushed to get tickets for the exhibition, however some visitors were so shocked by what they saw there, that they threw their invitations on the ground, to show their disapproval. The artists, who had struggled to find the money to have their work printed, were somewhat upset. Nevertheless, the group carried on working for the next fifteen years, with regular exhibitions in Taipei, as well as in Italy, Spain, Germany and the USA.
Spain
1956 - 1957 In order to continue painting, he managed to get a grant from the Spanish government which enabled him to go to Spain, in spite of some opposition. He felt that the Conservatory of Fine Art in San Fernando was too conservative, so he opted for Barcelona where he mixed with artists involved in work more representative of Spanish abstract art : Antoni Tapies and the founder members of the El Paso group.
In his large impasto works in oil, Hsiao Chin created shapes, like ideograms, which stood out against backgrounds in dull colours.
In order to survive, he wrote articles on avant-garde art in Europe in the 1950s, for publications in Taïwan such as the United Daily News, the Taipei literary review Wen-Shin, or the Cosmorama Pictorial in Hong Kong, all the while, trying to find his own style. He took part in the May Salon in Barcelona, and obtained a contract with the Sala Gaspar gallery.
Travel
1958 - 1966 Leaving behind Spain and its anti-social climate, he decided to travel, even if this meant him losing the grant he had had such trouble obtaining. He went to Italy, first of all to Venice for the Biennial, where paintings by Mark Tobey and Mark Rothko made a big impression on him. He met Yves Klein, Paul Klee and Gabriele Mazzotta, who became one of his best friends, and one of the most important collectors of his work. After that, he went to Florence where his work was displayed at the Galleria Numero, the second gallery of Fiammo Vigo.
1959 He moved to Milan. There he quickly got involved with a group of avant-garde artists. One of the first people he contacted was the Argentinian Lucio Fontana, because they could communicate in Spanish. He later met Roberto Crippa, Enrico Castellani and Pierre Manzoni. He liked to tell the story of when they all went out one day to Abissolla,
on their lambretta, to work on ceramics. Their vehicle broke down on the edge of the town and they had to abandon it !He joined forces with a gallery owner called Giorgio Marconi, regularly displaying his work in Marconi's gallery.
1961 He founded the Punto movement, with Antonio Calderara ( he began with figurative paintings then his work became more abstract after the death of his daughter ) and the Japanese sculptor Kengiro Azuma. Other artists from the Ton-Fan group joined later, such as Li Yuan-Chia, and then artists from all over the world: German, Spanish, Dutch, Italian and Japanese, resulting in exhibitions in Barcelona, Italy, Rotterdam, Taipei, and Zurich.
Art was seen as a way to transcend human limitions in relation to infinity.
He used Chinese calligraphy, and surfaces that were predominantly white. Quando c'è affinità, non c'è più distanza 1961, Completezza 1962
1964 Unable to stay in one place for very long, he spent several months in Paris, where he put together an important exhibition at the Galerie Internationale d'art contemporain, 253 rue Saint-Honoré, which was run by Comte Maurice D'Arquain. He then went on to Bâle, to see Mark Tobey, who had been living in Switzerland for two years.
1966 He decided to go to London, where he stayed for six months. At the Signal Gallery he met Paul Keeler.
This period marked a change in the both the life and work of the artist. he was on a more spiritual journey, delving into religion and Taoist philosophy. Yin and Yang figure in his geometric works.
via nell'infinitio 1965 meditazione 1965 Ink and acrylic on canvas, yin & yang 1967 acrylic on canvas.
The U.S.A
1967 - 1973 He went to New York with Giuseppa Pia Pizzo, the Italian artist whom he married in 1962.
Their daughter was born in New York.
During this period, he taught painting and drawing at Southampton College of Long Island University, New York, then at the Bâton-Rouge University in Louisiana.
He was delighted to be able to mix with artists such as Willem de Kooning, Roy Lichenstein, Robert Rauschenberg, Mark Rothko, all of whom influenced his work. Contemplation ( 27 acrylic canvas ) dates from this period.
The artist uses geometric shapes, in brightly coloured acrylics. The universe is represented by a circle which appears
in a different colours on different canvases. His series of works entitled 'solare' shows how the importance in his mind, held by the elements, such as the sky, the wind, the rain, and waterfalls. He also worked on sculptures, made of plastic and steel.
After separating from his wife, he decided to travel to Mexico, in order to study Aztec and Maya art, which he felt were close to Chinese Culture.
Back to Europe
Feeling more and more drawn to Buddhism, and having had enough of America which he found too superficial, Hsiao Chin returned to Europe.
1974 Patrice Trigano and Pierre Nahon organised an exhibition of his recent work in the galerie beauborg rue pierre au lard, in the 4th district of Paris.
Back in Milan, he put his research to one side, and took up his inks, and unstretched canvasses, in an attempt to feel closer to nature.
1978 Along with nine other artists, of six different nationalities, he started the SURYA, ( sun ) movement. Seven exhibitions were then held, in Italy,Spain, Taiwan, and Switzerland. The CH'AN series ( CH'AN is Japanese for Zen ) dates from this time, and is characterised by the contrasts between the surfaces and the warm and cool colours.
Success was consolidated as the exhibitions continued, in Ferrera, Modène and Milan, and honours followed. Invited by the governments, Hsiao Chin went to Taipei in 1978, then Beijing and Shanghai in 1980, where he led conferences on Western contemporary art.
1980 He divorced.
1981 - 1988 While teaching at the Art school in Urbino, then in Turin and Milan, he continued to hold exhibitions of his own work, in Italy, Taipei , Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo.
With 23 other artists, of eight different nationalities, he founded the SHAKTI ( meaning energy ) movement, drawing on his creative energy as can be seen in the titles of works such as Ascension to infinity, Neptune.
1989 - 1990 The Tiananmen Square Massacre left its mark on the artist. He did a series of paintings on this theme spring in Peking - before the Tiananmen Square massacre- the Tiananmen Square massacre - a year after Tiananmen Square - the renaissance of China.
1991-1992 Following the death of his daughter Samantha, Hsiao Chin overcame his sadness by creating the series the threshold, Towards the eternal garden.
1994-1995 The theme recurs in the eternal garden and flight to the eternal garden.
Retrospectives
1992 - 2005 A number of retrospectives of his work took place in Taichung (1992 ), Peking (1994 ), Taipei (1995 ), Darmstadt (1998 ), Milan ( 2002 ), Shanghai ( 2004 ), Recanati ( 2005 ), Guangdong ( 2005 ), and Zhonshan ( 2005 ).
1996 The next significant events in his private life were his marriage to the Austrian soprano Monika Unterberger, and his decision to teach at Tainan University.
1998 The di Meo gallery, rue des Beaux-Arts 75006 Paris held a personal exhibition.
2002 In Taiwan he was awarded the National fine Art Prize by the National foundation for culture.
2005 Italy gave him a knighthood, making him a " cavaliere della Stella della Solidarietà italiana "
2006 - 2009 The Beijing national Museum showed Glory to the source, Hsiao Chin 1955-2005
The Triennial Bovisa in Milan showed a hundred paintings, in oil and acrylic, reflecting 53 years of the artist's work, entitled Hsiao Chin Viaggio in-finito.1955-2008
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1935
Born in Shanghai; father Hsiao You-mei, a pioneer in contemporary Chinese music education, founded China’s first music school, the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, in 1927.
1949
Accompanies uncle Wang Hsueh-ting to Taiwan; transfers from Taichung No.2 Middle School to Taipei’s Chengkung Middle School.
1951
Enters the Art Department at Provincial Taipei Teacher’s College.
1952
Joins Li Chun-shan’s Antung St. studio, commencing formal study of modern art.
1956
Together with Hsia Yan, Wu Hao, Li Yuan-chia, Chen Tao-ming, Hsiao Ming-hsien, Ouyang Wen-yuan, and Ho Kan, participates in the founding of the first Chinese abstract painting movement, the Ton-Fan Art Group. In July, receives a scholarship from the Spanish government and heads to Madrid; upon discovering the extreme conservatism of the Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando, Madrid, resolves not to matriculate there and in November moves to Barcelona.
1957
Once again, perceiving the conservatism of the Escuela Superior de Bellas Artes La Lonja, Barcelona, determines not to pursue schooling and loses scholarship. Participates in French Circle Maillol Association and Royal Arts Association in Barcelona. The same year, Hsiao participates in the Barcelona IV Jazz Salon and is selected as one of the top ten outstanding painters; also, takes part in a series of Salon de Mayo, the most avant garde national exhibition at the time in Spain. First ever one-man show at the Mataró Fine Arts Museum near Barcelona. The firs Ton-Fan Art Group Exhibition is held at year’s end simultaneously in Taipei and Barcelona’s Galeria Jardin.
1959
First solo show in Italy at Florence’s Galleria Numero; moves to Milan.
1961
In Milan, creates Punto Art Movement together with the Italian artist A. Calderara; exhibition are held in Milan, Barcelona, Albissola, Florence, Taipei, Rotterdam, Macerata, Roma, Bologna, and Zürich; and numerous Spanish, French and Dutch artists join the movement. Holds first Milan solo exhibition at the Galleria Salone Annunciata, meets Giorgio Marconi, with whom he enters a long term collaboration.
1962
Marries the Italian painter Pia Pizzo.
1963
Marconi and M. d’Arquian assist Hsiao to enter contractual agreement with the prominent Galerie Internationale d’Art Contemporain, Paris.
1964
Works in Paris for three months; holds solo exhibition at Galerie Internationale d’Art Contemporain.
1966
Works in London for six months; exhibits at the Signals Gallery.
1967
Visits New York for the first time, remains there through 1972; daughter Samantha is born in New York. Solo exhibition at Rose Fried Gallery, New York; meets Mark Rothko.
1969
Teaches painting and drawing at Long Island University’s Southampton College; meets William De Kooning. Separates from Pia Pizzo.
1971 - 1972
Teaches visual theory at Milan’s Istituto Europeo di Design.
1972
Teaches painting and drawing at State University of Louisiana, United States. Travels to Mexico to study Aztec and Maya architecture and art.
1978
Founds the international Surya movement from Milan together with J. Tilson, G. Robusti and Kengiro Azuma. Returns to Taiwan by invitation as the first artist to participate in the National Reconstruction Council; proposes the construction of art museums and the sponsorship of various international arts exchange programs. Major solo exhibition at the National Museum of History in Taipei.
1980
Participates by invitation in events in Beijing and Shanghai commemorating the 40th anniversary of father Hsiao You-mei’s death, Hsiao’s lecture in the Red Flag Hall of the Ministry of Culture on 20th century Western art is well attended. This visit is Hsiao Chin’s first return to China in 31 years.
1981
25th anniversary joint exhibition of the Ton-Fan and Fifth Moon groups, Taipei.
1983 - 1984
Teaches art dissection and picture analysis at the Accademia di Belle Arti in Urbino.
1984 - 1985
Teaches Art Decoration at the Accademia di Belle Arti Albertina in Torino.
1985
Begins teaching printmaking at the Accademia di Belle Arti di Brera, Milan until 1997 as a fully tenured professor.
1986
Hsiao is invited by the Chinese government to take part in events celebrating 100th anniversary of the birth of Sun Yat-sen. Travels and exhibits in Brazil.
1988
Exhibition of Contemporary Italian Artists, Moscow: visits Leningrad (St. Petersburg). Major 30-year retrospective exhibit at the Studio Marconi, Milan; exhibition catalogue is published by Gabriele Mazzotta Editore.
1990
Daughter Samantha dies in Los Angeles.
1991
Aggrieved by the death of his daughter, creates a new series under the theme The Great Threshold, relating his new outlook on life. 35th-year anniversary exhibition of Ton-Fan and Fifth Moon groups, Taipei.
1992
Hsiao Chin Retrospective Exhibition, Taiwan Museum of Art in Taichung.
1994
Retrospective exhibition at Beijing Central Art Accademy and Hangzhou Chinese Art Academy, Hsiao’s first exhibition in China.
1995
Hsiao Chin: the Odyssey 1953-1994, Taipei Fine Arts Museum.
1996
Marries the Austrian soprano Monika Unterberger in May. Teaches painting at Graduate Institute of Plastic Art in Tainan National University of the Arts from October continues to 2005.
1997
An exhibition Gathering Force on Hsiao’s recent works from 1990 to 1997 organized by the Dimensions Art Center.
1998
Exhibition of recent works at Galleria Il Ponte in Florence, Galerie Di Meo in Paris and a retrospective exhibition from 1958-1998 at Institut Mathildeh in Darmstadt.
2002
In January 22nd, the Milan Province’s Oberdan Space dedicates to him a ceramic sculptures exhibit, Milan’s Mudima Foundation dedicated him a recent large size painting exhibit, Milan’s Mudima Foundation dedicated him a recent large size painting exhibit, Milan’s Giò Marconi Gallery dedicated him a retrospective exhibit of paintings on canvas and also Lattuada Gallery in Milan a retrospective exhibit of Hsiao Chin’s work on paper, both from 1958 to 2001. National Fine Art Prize from National Culture and Arts Foundation, Taiwan.
2003
Series of touring exhibitions in 6 universities of Taiwan and delivering speeches.
2004
The Journey of Hsiao Chin’s painting 1958-2004 at the Shanghai Art Museum.
2005
In January 7th was conferred by the Italian President C.A. Ciampi the honorable title of “Knight of Italian Solidarity Star”. Retrospective exhibition at Civic Museum Villa Colloredo of Recanati, Italy; retrospective exhibitions Hsiao Chin 1954-2004, a Journey back to the Source at Guangdong Art Museum & Zhongshan Art Museum.
2006
Glory to the Source, Hsiao Chin 1955-2005 retrospective exhibition at National Art Museum of China in Beijing.
2007
Mostra presso lo Spazio Mazzotta, a Monsummano Terme al Museo di Arte Contemporanea e del Novecento, in occasione del 5° Premio Internazionale Biennale d’Incisione.