Shi Weixiang

CHINA, Sichuan, Mianyang

Shi Weixiang was a painter and expert in Dunhuang art. He assisted Chang Dai-Chien in setting up his Dunhuang painting exhibitions, and after graduating from Sichuan Art Academy in 1948, he entered the Dunhuang Research Academy in Gansu. Shi worked his way up from an assistant research associate to the director of the Resource Center. He is regarded as one of the pioneers in the research of Dunhuang art, to which he dedicated his life.
Throughout his career, Shi painted over 300 copies of Dunhuang cave murals. The majority of these paintings are said to have truly captured the spirit of the ancient images. Some of his best copy works include Illustration of the Maitreya Sutras - Renunciation from Mogao Cave 445, and Water-Moon Avalokitesvara from Yulin Cave 2. Most of these copies are kept in the Dunhuang Research Academy. In addition, Shi published over 1,000 papers and authored several books dedicated to Dunhuang art research.