Steed
Giclee with serigraphy
21" X 21"

“For 10 years, He, Neng kept his paintings inside his head, fearful that if he actually used a brush to create them, it could cost him his life.

He did book illustrations and posters.

"He graduated from art school in his native China in 1965, on the brink of the Cultural Revolution. From 1966 to 1976, the Chinese endured an unprecedented repression of ideas considered to have Western influence. Intellectuals and artists were often reassigned to agricultural communes or sent to prison. Many did not survive the hardships.

When Mao Zedong died, the Cultural Revolution pretty much died with him. What followed was a different revolution - a Chinese renaissance in art. Much of that renaissance was led by a group of artists from the Yunnan School of Art, of which He, Neng was a member.

He creates paintings that typify the Yunnan style, a sort of blending of traditional Chinese elements with modern expressionism. Some of his work contains clear references to Pablo Picasso, Marc Chagall and Joan Miro. In one painting, a woman is surrounded by black-winged cranes. In another, a warrior figure rides on horseback across a sea of design.

The free expression in the images is clear, a far cry from what He, Neng was forced to paint during the decade-long Cultural Revolution.

"Every year, they tell you what to paint," he said through an interpreter. "We painted the heroes: the soldiers, the peasants and factory workers."

His fellow artist Ting Shao Kuang, popularly known as China's Picasso, painted his visions late at night in his studio. Before dawn, Ting would burn the work. In all, 1,500 of Ting's paintings were turned to ash.

He recalls going to Ting's house late in the evening to look at books of European art.

"An artist came back from France and brought the books," He said. "That artist died during the Cultural Revolution."

He, Neng kept his creativity inside.

"Starting in 1977," He said, "I started to paint. It was an uncertain time. ... But once we started, I thought it was the right thing. I just kept going."

Others did as well. What resulted, he said, was an explosion of creativity. In 1981, Ting came to the United States. He followed in 1987.

"I didn't really have the intention to stay," He said. "They wanted me to do an exhibit in Chicago. They wanted to publish my work."

He ultimately felt he could be more successful in America, so he stayed. At least once a year, he returns to Yunnan.” (Mark Muckenfuss, The Press Enterprise )

He, Neng has held more than 100 successful gallery and museum exhibitions in America, Japan, China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. His works are collected by art collectors worldwide and by the Library of Congress. He is one of the three most renowned contemporary Chinese artists today.

He, Neng recently finished a highly successful group exhibition of his  and other artists' works from the Yunnan School at the Fullerton Art Museum, CSU, San Bernardino, California. (You may want to check this out by clicking http://diversity.csusb.edu/chinahome.asp. )

We are proud to announce our association with this remarkable artist. New limited editions: "Steed" and "Flying Horses" are available now. (Editions are limited to 60 total including AP's each.) Contact us or your local gallery for pricing and to order.

(You can find a complete history of the Yunnan School and more about He, Neng in the book, "Yunnan School, A Renaissance In Chinese Painting" by Joan Lebold Cohen.)