Dong Shouping

CHINA, Shanxi, Linfen

Originally named Dong Kui and also known as Xiebo, Dong Shouping named himself after Yun Shouping, a painter of the early Qing dynasty (1644–1911), whom he greatly admired. Coming from a family of renowned artists, he was influenced at a very early age. During the Sino-Japanese War, the family moved to Sichuan, where he stayed for 12 years and organized many exhibitions. Later, Dong was editor and counselor of Rongbaozhai in Beijing, Honorary President of the Chinese Painting Research Association, and a member of the Chinese Artists Association. He also authored several books.
Dong was well-known for painting pines, plums, bamboo, and orchids. In his old age, his landscape paintings included mountains and the aged pine trees of Huangshan. He was often called Dong Plum, Shouping Bamboo, or Outstanding Painter of Huangshan. His calligraphy, compelling and unworried, include such pieces as Mind is the Buddha and Platform Sutra - Chapter on Prajna. Another calligraphic work, Lecturing of Master Ouyi, is carved onto the Stele Wall at Fo Guang Shan Monastery in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.