Shao Yan

1962

Wendeng , Shandong

Shao Yan, contemporary artist, is best known for using syringe ink shot and expressive brushstrokes to create abstract calligraphic paintings. Shao was born in Shandong Province in 1962. He studied Fine Arts at Shandong Laiyang University in 1981 and at the Central Academy of Fine Arts, Beijing, in 1990. He currently lives and works in Beijing, China. Shao skillfully merges abstraction and traditional calligraphy, creatively presenting his subconscious images through modern calligraphy. The works reveal his various experiments and exploration of the deconstruction of form and the space of Chinese ideograms. Shao’s state of mind is portrayed by the diverse brushstrokes and the aura of his works has been strengthened through consistent practice and reviews.

His works have been exhibited in several international calligraphy exhibition, including Brushed Voices: Calligraphy in Contemporary China, Wallach Art Gallery, Columbia University, USA, 1998; Writing/Non-Writing, Hangzhou, 2005; and 1st International Calligraphy Biennial, Seoul, 2008. In 2012, his solo exhibitions were at Today Art Museum, Beijing, and Shanghai Ink Art Museum.

Alisan Fine Arts has exhibited Shao’s works in the travelling exhibition I Am in It - Contemporary Chinese Art Expressions, prior at Florida Gulf Coast University, California, USA in 2008, with catalogue published.

BIOGRAPHY
1962   Born in Wendeng City, Shandong Province, China
1981   Specialised in painting at Laiyang Normal School in Shandong Province
1990-91   Studied at the Central Academy of Fine Arts Calligraphy Research Centre
1999   Moved to Beijing and became a professional painter

SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2012

Heart Tracks-Shao Yan Ink Painting Exhibition, Today Art Museum, Beijing, China
Running Ink, Shanghai Ink Art Museum, Shanghai, China

2007

Starting from Chinese Characters – Exhibition of Shao Yan’s Chinese Character Art, 3 Art Gallery, Beijing, China

2003

Shao Yan’s Art, Shenzhen, China

2002

Shao Yan’s Calligraphy Art, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

1992

Shao Yan’s Modern Calligraphy, Art Museum of China Central Academy of Fine Arts, Beijing, China

SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2022-2023

Alisan in Wonderland, Alisan Fine Arts-Aberdeen, Hong Kong

2021

Invitation Exhibition of Creative Calligraphy in China, Eastern Creative Calligraphy Institute, Shenzhen, China

2018

When Less is More, Alisan Fine Arts-Aberdeen, Hong Kong

2015

Abstraction: Shao Yan, Yang Xiaojian, Alisan Fine Arts, Hong Kong

2008

I Am in It - Contemporary Chinese Art Expressions, Florida Gulf Coast University, United States; Alisan Fine Arts, Hong Kong

2006

Katyn, Supporting Chinese Contemporary Ink painting, Invitation Exhibition, Sweden
China Art Calligraphy Power 100 Art Exhibition, National Art Museum of China, Beijing, China
Chinese Character Scheme, Hangzhou, China

2005

1st International Calligraphy Biennale, Seoul, Korea

2003

South Korea-North Korea Calligraphy Biennale, Jeonju, Korea

2002

1st Nominated Fashion Calligraphy Exhibition, Beijing, China

2001

International Calligraphy Literature Exhibition, Taiwan

1999

8th China National Art Exhibition of Middle-Aged and Young Artists (Second Prize), National Art Museum of China, Beijing, China
Mustering the Troops in Sichuan - Chinese Modern Calligraphy Retrospective 1999, Chengdu, Sichuan, China

1998

1st Chinese Calligraphy Exhibition in Paris, France
Brushed Voices: Calligraphy in Contemporary China, Columbia University Wallach Art Gallery, United States

1997

7th China National Art Exhibition of Young and Emerging Artists (First Prize), National Art Museum of China, Beijing, China

1995

6th China National Art Exhibition of Middle-Aged and Young Artists (First Prize), National Art Museum of China, Beijing, China

1989

1st International Youth Calligraphy Exhibition, National Art Museum of China, Beijing, China

1986

2nd National Art Exhibition of Middle-Aged and Young Artists (Outstanding Prize), National Art Museum of China, Beijing, China

SELECTED PUBLIC COLLECTIONS
British Museum, London, United Kingdom
Henry Luce Collection, United States
Wall Street Journal, United States
Times Weekly, United States
Sidney University, Australia
National Art Museum of China, Beijing, China
Today Art Museum, Beijing, China
Art Museum of China Central Academy of Fine Arts, Beijing, China
Shanghai International Exhibition Center, China
Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong
Artist Commune, Hong Kong