Li Dezhuang

Singapore

Introduction

Born in Singapore, and currently based in Shanghai. Graduated from the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, Singapore. He is a Strategic Manager in logistics and elected Chartered Fellow of The Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport, UK. Also an art critic and a columnist for a leading Singapore Chinese newspaper. Currently a columnist for a well- known regional business journal “ Fortune Times”. He was also trained as a professional drama performance artist and television drama scriptwriter in the early 1980s. In the late 1980s, he travelled to New York and one of his collector friend in Los Angeles arranged for him to meet Mrs. Selma Amur Heringman, a close friend of Pablo Picasso. Through Mrs. Heringman Li met Mrs. Kazuko Hillyer, a renowned curator and Director of Hillyer International Inc. In 1989, Mrs. Hillyer organized a two men show for Li together with another artist from Mainland China. At the opening of the exhibition, Li met Mr. Fong Chow, a former curator and Head of Oriental Art Department of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Mr. Fong brought Li to visit all the important museums in New York and they became close friends for many years until Mr. Fong’s demise three years ago. On the whole, we can conclude that all these important personalities in the art circle in New York City have strongly influenced the direction of Li‘s painting career, especially resulting in his affinity with Abstract Expressionism. In early 2001, Li returned from New York and decided to live and work in Xiamen. He subsequently moved to Shanghai. In recent years, Li has set up his studio in Zhejiang. Over the years, he has won several awards in Singapore and the United States. His works have been displayed in numerous exhibitions around the world, including in the United States, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, United Kingdom, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, China, and Hong Kong. He has participated in over 30 group exhibitions and has held over ten solo exhibitions. His works have been collected by the Istana (the office and residence of the Singapore President), National Gallery Singapore, National Library Singapore，many leading banks in Singapore and individual collectors in Mainland China, Europe, and Saudi Arabia. His most recent exhibition was in Art Paris Art Fair at the Grand Palais in 2013 where he was represented by Jeans Bastien Gallery (Brussels).


AWARDS AND HONORS
1995    Winner of Dr. Tan Tze Chor Art Award, Singapore 
1988    Awarded Certificate of Excellence for Outstanding Achievement from I. a. C International Art Competition, New York
1987    Winner of Ministry of Communication and Information Outstanding Art Award, Singapore 
1987    Awarded Certificate of Participation in National Museum Centenary Exhibition and for contributions to the development of Singapore Art presented by Ministry of Community Development and Singapore Arts Council 
1984    Awarded Runner-up prize, UOB “Painting of the Year Art Competition”, Singapore 
1981    Winner of Ministry of Culture Special Art Award, National Day Art Exhibition, Singapore 

SELECTED SOLO EXHIBTIONS 
2007

  • Xiamen University Art Museum, China
2000
  • City Hall Gallery, Hong Kong 
  • Merchant Court Hotel, Bangkok
1997
  • Kwan Hua Information and Cultral Centre, Hong Kong
1996
  • Hyai Ern Art Gallery, Taipei
  • Sir Run Run Shaw Hall, Chinese University of Hong Kong
1995
  • National Library Art Gallery, Taipei 
1989
  • National Gallery, Singapore
1985
  • Lone Pine Art Gallery, Singapore
1981
  • Metropolitan Bank Head Ofic, Bangkok
1980
  • Hilton Hotel, Singapore

SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS 
2013

  • Art Paris Art Fair, Gran Palais, Paris, Jeans Bastien Gallery, Brussels

2012

  • Contemporary Chinese Artists Exhibtion, Jeans Bastien Galleery, Brussels

2007

  • Summer Festival of New Ink Art, Alisan Fine Arts, Hong Kong

2006

  • Seven Men Abstract Chinese Paintings Exhibition, Xiamen Cultural Centre
  • China National Day Art Exhibtion. Fuzhou Art Museum Fujian

2000

  • Three-man Show, King Road Art Gallery, London
  • Asian Invitation Art Exhibition, Culture Research Institute, Seoul

1990

  • Urban Artists, National Gallery, Singapore

1993

  • Asian Interational Art Exhibtion, Fukuoka City Art Museum, Japan

1995 

  • Asain International Art EXhibtion, National Art Gallery, Singapore

1989

  • Contemporary Chinese Paintings, Gallery Interational 52, New York
  • International Group Show, Contemporary Paintings, Tropen Art Museum, Amsterdam

1988

  • International Group Show, Gallery International 52, New York
  • International Group Show, Taiwan Museum of Arts Taichung

1987

  • National Museum Centenary Art Exhibtion, National Gallery, Singapore

1986

  • International Group Show, Salon Des Artistes Francais, Grand Palais Paris

1982

  • Five-man show First young artist exhibition, National Gallery, Singapore

1978

  • Art 1978, National Galleery, Singapore

1969

  • Local Artist Exhibtion, Singapore Polyechnic Exhibtion Hall


SELECTED PUBLICATIONS AND PRESS REPORTS
2006    Published the book "My Journey' based on 30 years of artistic life experinces   
2004    Featured in an art history pulication "Beyond the Babel", documnting important Chinese artists since 18th century       
2000    "Famed Chinese Artist on Show" Bangkok Post, Wednesday, May 23, a leading English newspaper in Bangkok
Dagongbao- October 4, a leading Chinese newspaper in China and Hong Kong  
1997    Yazhou Zhoukan- June 16-June 22, a world-lading Chinese journal  
1992    "Home grown art" Singapore Business Times weekend edition July 18
1989    "Art News" Summer issue, a leading international art publication in New York
The Straits Times 'New York's I.a.C Intrnational Art Award" January 26
1985    "Singapore Artist Speaks" a major art publication featuring top sixty Singaporean arists 
1984    the Straits Times "Artist by the Water Margin", Novembeer 7, a leaing English newspaper, Singapore
1981    Sin Chew Jit Poh Sunday Supplement, August 23rd, a leading Chinese newspaper, Singapore
1980    Sin Chew Jit Poh Sunday Supplent, March 23rd, a leaing Chinese newspaper, Singapore
"Again, only a hanful dared to be different" New Nation, Thursday, August 28th, a Singapore newspaper

 

SELCTED COMMISSIONED WORKS
1991    “Progress” presented to Mr. Lee Kuan Yew, former Prime Minister, The Republic of Singapore  
1987    “The Port that Never Sleeps” presented to Mr. Ong Teng Cheong, former President, The Republic of Singapore  
1985    Commissioned to paint 12 paintings for the Port of Singapore Authority Calendar 
1996    “Beyond the Horizon” presented to Mr. Zhang Rou Fa, Chairman, Evergreen Marine Cooperation, Taipei  
1997    “Ushering the Giant” presented to Mr. Ong Teng Cheong, former President, The Republic of Singapore  
1997    “Water Margin” presented to Mr. Zheng Zhongbiao, President, China Ocean Shipping Group, Beijing  
2007    “Yellow River” presented to Mr. Xu Kuangchun, Party Secretary, Zhengzhou   
2007    “The Red Flag Canal” presented to Mr. Juan Yuandong, Party Secretary, Anyang  

 

SELECTED PRIVATE AND PERMANENT COLLECTIONS
The Istana, Republic of Singapore, National Gallery Singapore, National Library, Singapore, DBS Bank, Singapore, UOB Group, Singapore, Standard Chartered Bank, Singapore, Credit Suisse, Singapore, Gulf International Bank, Singapore, Banker’s Trust, Singapore, the Port of Singapore  Authority, Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore. Riverview Hotel, Singapore, Hillyer International Inc, New York, Throckmorton Fine Art, New York, Jeans Bastian Gallery, Brussels, Mr. Hui Yap, Taipei, Mr. Fong Chow, New York, Mr. Francis Xavier Morrissey. Jr, New York, Mr.James Bertram, Hong Kong, Mr. Laurence CS Tam, Hong Kong, Mr. P Y Chow, Hong Kong, Mr. Lincoln Ying, Hong Kong,  Dr CY Cheng, Hong Kong, Evergreen Marine Group, Taipei, Hour Glass, Singapore, Mr. Goh Han Keng, Singapore, Mr. Chai Sophonpanich, Bangkok, Mr. Udane Techapaibul, Bangkok and many other collectors in Mainland China and Saudi Arabia.