Chu Teh-Chun was born to a doctor's family. In 1935 he studied Western Painting at the Hangzhou National Art College. Between 1944 and 1949, he taught at the Nanjing Central University, after which he taught in the Art Department of Taiwan Normal University. In 1955 he settled in Paris, where he has held numerous solo exhibitions and enjoys a reputation as one of the most well known Chinese artists. He has also held a solo exhibition at the China Gallery of Fine Arts, Beijing, 1997. Based on the traditional Chinese concepts that fuse poetry, calligraphy and art, Chu's style integrates Eastern and Western painting traditions. The influences of Rambrant, Cessane and Nicholas de Steal are particularly evident. The latter was instrumental in Chu's transition from a twenty year career of objective painting to a more abstract style, work which began to earn him international recognition from 1956, when he won honors. Chu's inspiration comes from nature, an empathy with which he experiences on a profound level. Using a fluid and loose style that extends concepts of traditional Chinese ink and paper paintings, his unique style openly expresses a deeply personal dialogue with his subject matter, whilst still embracing the viewer.
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