An academic figure painter, Chen Bi Cong was accepted in 2002 by the prestigious China Academy of Art in Hangzhou to study for a Masters degree. He achieved outstanding results and began his research into Chinese portraiture.
Chen Bi Cong focused his study on traditional Chinese culture, especially the sculptures of the Han (206 BC – 220 AD) and Tang (618 - 907) dynasties, and tomb frescoes and figures paintings of the Wei (220 – 265) and Chin (265 – 420) dynasties. He has absorbed much from these ancient works of art, yet at the same time is influenced by modern Western masters such as Matisse, Picasso and Chagall.
Chen Bi Cong’s paintings thus display the essence of traditional Chinese paintings but also show evidence of a contemporary vision. His graceful female nudes in Chinese ink on rice paper are depicted in peaceful poses, either sleeping or resting, and the outlines of the figures are typically softened by a delicate ink wash.
