Chin Hung Lee

"King of Colors" Chin Hung Lee
Twice Invited to Participate in the Venice Biennale Invitational Exhibition

Chin Hung Lee, born in 1963 in Miaoli, Taiwan, is a product of academic training and excels in ink and watercolor painting, particularly known for his exceptional watercolor work. His paintings are renowned for their "jade-like colors" and unique "explosive sketching" technique, earning him the title "King of Colors."

He has been invited to participate in the Venice Biennale Invitational Exhibition (alongside the New Ink Movement), honored as the permanent resident artist at the Hexiang Art Museum, and has challenged himself to create the world's longest lotus sketch. He often incorporates the philosophies of the I Ching and Laozi into his works, providing viewers with a spiritual feast as they admire his paintings.

The Rise of “the King of Color”
The Artistic Legend of Chin Hung Lee

Chin Hung Lee dedicated his life to the pursuit of the most beautiful colors in the universe, with a particular fondness for the classic colors of Western Impressionism. He deeply studied and absorbed the essence of colors from Monet and Bonnard, while also exploring the beauty of hues in Eastern jade and ceramics. By applying pigments of various materials to the canvas, he created colors that are as warm and layered as jade, astonishing viewers.

However, his talent was once buried in a cultural desert. His family, unable to understand his obsession with art, sent him to an insane asylum...

Chin Hung Lee endured humiliation and hardships, walking a legendary path in his painting career until international critic Byron Montgomery found him through Facebook and said, "Do you know you are a great watercolor artist?" After a series of painting evaluations, Byron bestowed upon him the title of "Baron" in the art world and honored him with the title "King of Colors." This recognition finally allowed Chin Hung Lee to hold his head high and gain international acclaim.

The Radiance of Jade in Paintings - Jade-like Colors

In Chinese society, jade symbolizes virtue, becoming more beautiful the longer it is worn, akin to the virtues of "gentleness, kindness, respect, thrift, and humility." This is the "beauty" Chin Hung Lee strives to achieve. He studied how to present the warm colors and luster of jade in his paintings, calling it "jade-like colors."

Chin Hung Lee employs watercolor techniques of blending and washing to showcase the translucent and layered beauty of jade. In oil and acrylic paintings, he layers colors like carving and polishing, creating the glaze-like colors of ceramics. He uses the "full spectrum" of colors for rich layers and employs the "scraping technique" to make the hues warm and textured. The colors interweave, rich and vibrant.

In Chin Hung Lee's works, jade-like colors are everywhere, capturing the ever-changing colors of nature. It represents the highest realm of color exploration, offering an absolutely stunning visual feast.

The Pioneer of Explosive Sketching

A painting is the artist's identity card, and every renowned painter in history has their unique creativity! "Explosive Sketching" is a technique invented by Li Qinhong. In his eyes, every scene is a source of inspiration. When a landscape catches his eye and stirs him, he immediately throws the paint into the air towards the paper, and the creation begins. The paint bursts on the paper, generating energy, and then he sprays or sprinkles water, allowing the paint to flow naturally and form the basic composition.

He is an expert in playing with paint and water, adjusting each creation to the temperature and humidity of the moment, co-creating with nature. Once the basic composition takes shape, he quickly outlines the scenery with calligraphic brushstrokes, combining paint, brush, paper, and his thoughts to present the most perfect abstract works of "mind-image unity."

Breaking the Boundaries of Watercolor
Revolutionizing Visual Language

Chin Hung Lee's paintings transcend the conventional boundaries of watercolor, seamlessly blending the Chinese ink wash painting, the vigorous strokes of calligraphy, and the vibrant colors of his Taiwanese heritage. This unique style sets him apart from his contemporaries.

He masterfully employs a diverse range of techniques and mediums, including transparent watercolor, opaque watercolor, oil paint, acrylic, and spray paint, to create a symphony of colors and textures. Drawing inspiration from traditional Chinese ink painting's concept of 'leaving the white space empty,' he provides viewers with room for imagination. These innovative approaches have redefined the traditional framework of watercolor painting, revolutionizing the visual language of art.