Shao Fei

Shao Fei (; born 1954) is a contemporary Chinese female artist from Beijing. As a professional painter at the Central Academy of Fine Arts from 1976 and a prominent member of the Stars Art Group from 1979–80, Shao Fei combines the use of expressionism, fantastic and figurative art in her works.

Life

Early life Her mother, Shao Jingkun, was an oil painter and taught her guo hua technique at an early age.

Relationships Shao Fei was married to Bei Dao, a Chinese poet who openly opposed the Chinese government. In the 1990s, they emigrated to the US. Shao Fei and Bei Dao later separated. Many of these garden scenes were made into woodcut illustrations, which Shao Fei incorporates into her art.

She also includes mythological creatures inspired by the Chinese classic text Shanhaijing (Classic of Mountains and Seas). This results in thick, opaque layers that resemble heavy colour painting. The rich colours used portray the intense range of emotions the viewer is meant to feel. Shao Fei distorts the subjects in her painting, so that the scene parallels an imaginary world.

Exhibitions Shao Fei's exhibitions mainly toured in China, Japan, and the US. In 1982, her works were featured at the Exhibition of the Central Academy of Beijing in China. The exhibition, Contemporary Chinese Painting, toured the US which featured many of her paintings done in 1984-85.

Collections Many of Shao Fei's collections are currently featured in the National Art Museum of China, Hong Kong Museum of Art, and private collections in China.

Reception Shao Fei gained popularity as an exceptional painter, having received many positive reviews from art critics and news outlets. China Daily has described her work as a bridge between the real and the imaginary, stating, “Her delicate brush strokes and vibrant colors have connected the past and present, reality and fantasy.” Her paintings have been praised as powerfully emotional and deeply decorative, which art historian Michael Sullivan has noted her for her unique expressionist and fantastic art style.

Impact Social and cultural conservatism in China has restricted Chinese female artists to go beyond the realms of traditional art genres. Shao Fei goes beyond the norms and restrictions by composing landscape and figure paintings with highly expressive and decorative strokes, rather than the typical subdued, muted ones traditionally tied with women's art in China. Subsequently, she has expanded the possible art genres for women artists to explore in China.