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Kwan Wai-nung

1878 – 1956

Chinese artist

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About Kwan Wai-nung

Lived 1878 – 1956 (aged 77–78). Kwan Wai-nung was a painter.

Kwan Wai-nung (; 1878–1956) was a Chinese artist. A descendant of Lam Qua, Kwan was born in Guangdong and studied Chinese painting under Ju Lian. He fused this with a more Western style learnt from his brother, Kwan Kin-hing.

Kwan migrated to Hong Kong at the beginning of the 20th century. He became art director for the South China Morning Post in 1911, before leaving in 1915 to set up his own lithographic business, the Asiatic Lithographic Printing Press in Sai Ying Pun. During the 1920s and 1930s Kwan personally designed calendars and posters for various companies in the city. Calendars acted as branded merchandise and artists were often hired to make the product seem more appealing. Kwan understood the impact advertising had on businesses and positioned his art, many of which featured modestly dressed pin-up girls, as a means of relaying brands to customers. Among his designs are 'Two Girls' (1931) for Kwong Sang Hong and posters for Tiger Balm.

His company imported modern printing technology from Britain and Germany and opened branches in Singapore, Guangzhou and Shanghai. Effectively cornering the market in Hong Kong at the time, his success led to him being named 'King of the Calendar Poster'. After the Second World War, Kwan handed control over his company to his sons.

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Important facts

Born
1878
Birth century
Died
1956
Occupation

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Kwan Wai-nung's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Kwan Wai-nung?

Chinese artist

When was Kwan Wai-nung born?

Kwan Wai-nung was born in 1878.

When did Kwan Wai-nung die?

Kwan Wai-nung died in 1956.

What was Kwan Wai-nung's occupation?

Kwan Wai-nung was a painter.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Kwan Wai-nung

· Wikidata: Q27460814

· DBpedia: Kwan Wai-nung

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Kwan Wai-nung. https://biography.guide/kwan-wai-nung/

MLA: "Kwan Wai-nung." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/kwan-wai-nung/.

Chicago: "Kwan Wai-nung." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/kwan-wai-nung/.

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