Shi Hu

1942 Hebei China - 2023

Introduction

Born in Hebei, Shi Hu studied at the Beijing Arts and Crafts College and the Zhejiang Academy of Fine Arts. He taught at the Beijing Arts Crafts College from 1968 to 1969. In 1977, Shi was employed as an art director at the People's Fine Art Publishing House in Beijing. He made an extensive tour to Africa in 1978 and was inspired by the brilliant colours of the exotic cultures and wildlife. The influence of African art can be prominently observed in Shi's aesthetic expressions, and also led to the creation of the artist's famous African Sketches. Shi then undertook a serious study in western art, especially Modernism and Abstractionism. He is skilled in painting figures and animals with strong and unique configurations. He uses a boneless technique to create strong contrast of bright colour tones and his brushstrokes are also bold and strong. Shi was incited to the United States as visiting scholar and later settled in Macau. From 1989 onwards, Shi has held exhibitions in the United States of America, Canada, and Singapore, and was appointed as Director of the International Chinese Artists Association in Macau in 1996. In 2004, a solo exhibition of Shi Hu was held at the National Arts Museum which later was held in other Asian countries.


BIOGRAPHY
1942    Born in Xushui, Hebei Province, China
1958    Attended Beijing Arts and Crafts School
1960    Attended Zhejiang Fine Arts Institute
1962    Served as a soldier
1968    Taught at Beijing Arts and Crafts School
1969    Worked in the crafts field as an ivory carver and lacquer polisher
1977    Employed as art director at the People's Fine Arts Publishing House in Beijing, China
1978    Toured thirteen countries in Africa
1979    Published African sketches
1980    Became a professional artist
1985    Selected Paintings of Shi Hu published by Shanxi People's Publishing House, China
1988    Selected Paintings of Shi Hu published by Tianjin Yang Liu Qing Painting Society, China 
1994    Established Shi Hu Poetry Society"
1996    Published essays "Discussion of Character and Thoughts", "Character and Pictograph" and "Spiritual Awakening" Appointed Chairman of the Society of Chinese Artists Worldwide "Solo Exhibition of Shi Hu" organized by Cultural Bureau of Macau
1998   Published Four-volume catalogue "Paintings by Shi Hu" by People's Fine Arts Publishing House
2004    Published catalogue"Paintings of Chinese Modern Artists: Shi Hu"
2006    Published book "One Hundred of Poems and Paintings"
2013    Published book "Cloud of Words: Art Critics by Shi Hu" and the catalogue "Calligraphy and Paintings by Shi Hu"
2023    Passed away at the age of 81


SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2013   

  • Solo exhibition with around 1000 paintings, National Art Museum of China, Beijing, China
2005   
  • Shenzhen Art Museum, Shenzhen, China
2004   
  • National Museum of Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
  • New life-Shi Hu 2004 Painting Exhibition, National Art Museum of China, Beijing, China
2003   
  • Solo Exhibition, Macau
2000
  • Paintings by Shi Hu, University Museum and Art Gallery, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
1997, 98, 99 
  • China Art Expo, Shanghai, China
1996
  • Solo Exhibition of Shi Hu, Cultural Affairs Bureau, Macau
1995
  • China Art Expo, Beijing, China
1994
  • China Art Expo, Guangzhou, China
1992
  • Ordained - Shi Hu, Singapore; Beijing, China; Taipei, Taiwan; Macau
  • Unity - Shi Hu, Jakarta, Indonesia
1991  
  • Lou Lim Lok Garden, Macau
1990
  • Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Singapore
1987 
  • Ji Gu Zhai, Hong Kong
1982
  • Nanjing Museum, China


SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2021

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

2014
1993
  • Tresors d'Art, Singapore
  • Exhibited a monumental work Dreams on Earth, China Art Expo, Guangzhou, China
1988
  • Contemporary Chinese Paintings, Krannert Art Museum of University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign; Honolulu, Hawaii; Madison; Wisconsin, USA 
  • Art Asia, Hong Kong
  • Art Miami, USA
1987
  • Basel Art Fair, Basel, Switzerland