Liu Wenxi, a leading figure in the field of Chinese painting
Liu Wenxi (October 17, 1933-), originally from Shengzhou, Zhejiang Province, is one of the representative painters of the "Zhejiang Figure Painting School" and the founder of the Loess Painting School. He graduated from Zhejiang Academy of Fine Arts in 1958 and was taught by Pan Tianshou and other teachers.He works at Xi'an Academy of Fine Arts. He was a member of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles, former vice-president of the Chinese Artists Association, member of the Chinese Painting Art Committee, and one of the top 100 famous teachers in the country. In the past, he was the principal of the Art Research Institute of Loess Painting School, president of the Chinese Association of Contemporary Painting Schools, consultant of the Shaanxi Provincial Federation of Literary and Art Circles, honorary president of the Shaanxi Provincial Association of Artists, honorary president dean of Xi'an Academy of Fine Arts, professor and doctoral tutor.
He is the creator of Mao Zedong's portraits on the 100 RMB banknote and an expert with outstanding contributions throughout the country. In December 2018, he was elected the ninth consultant of the China Artists Association. His major works include "Chairman Mao and the Shepherds", "The People of Northern Shaanxi", "The Orient", and a huge series of long scrolls: "The People of Loess", etc. Almost a hundred pieces.
Master Liu Wenxi left many artistic treasures to the motherland. He dedicated his artistic life to the loess land in northern Shaanxi, and praising the people there was the soul of his works. He lived a simple life, dressed casually and had a rustic appearance. He had been doing it for decades. People who knew him said: "The master looks very rustic, with a hat from the Yan'an period and a simple cloth dress." This is the master, a folk artist who refuses to follow the crowd.
