Born in 1921 in Beijing, China
Zao Wou-Ki studied at the Hangzhou Art Academy under Wu Dayu, one of the founding fathers of modern Chinese painting. In 1948 he left for Paris, where he became friends with many important young artists and dealers. His first solo show in Paris was held by Galerie Creuze in 1949. He exhibited internationally, including at ARCO, Madrid, Spain, 1998; FIAC, Paris, France, 2003; and Tina Keng Gallery, Taipei, Taiwan, 2009.
Zao’s education at the Hangzhou Art Academy has a profound influence on his early oil paintings. Steeped in a modernist aesthetics, his abstractions embody a sense of nature typically found in Chinese literati painting. The spirit of nature weaves through his brushwork, conjuring a vivacity in cascading waters and surging clouds amidst the mountains. Inspired later by Paul Klee, he began an exploration of painting techniques which gradually morphed into a lyrical abstract style that would eventually cement his place in contemporary art. His works are housed in renowned international museums and organizations, including the Tate Gallery, London; Museum of Modern Art, New York; Guggenheim Museum, New York; Art Institute of Chicago; and Musee d'Art Modern, Paris, among others.