Taiwan's Modern Painting Pioneer - Li Zhongsheng

Taiwan's modern paintings emerged in the 1950s which coincided with martial law imposed by the KMT government in response to the 228 Incident concerning the oppression of political dissidents.From then until now,various forms and features of art have manifested in Taiwan.Widely regarded as the "mentor of Taiwanese modern art",Chun-Sheng Li emerged as Taiwan's leading pioneer of abstract painting in the 1960s.Without Li's critical contribution to art on the Island during the period of martial law,Taiwan's modern art today would not have been the same.By virtue of a myriad of artists' efforts,we are now able to chronicle and isolate the range of different eras of Taiwan's art evolution.From early historical accounts of art on the Island,a variety of cultures,namely Austronesian,Chinese,Dutch,Japanese and other Western Cultures have merged together and transformedthe Island into a very unique Taiwanese Culture.After World War II,Li beganto introduce Western Modern Art to Taiwan through his authorship of newspaper articles and his recruitment and mentorship of students,who collectively became known as the Eight Great Outlawsartist community.This research focuses primarily on the artistic perspectives and painting works of Chung-Sheng Li(1911-1984),widely known as the pioneer of Taiwan's modern art paintings.This research purports to prove and extend Li's teaching philosophy and creative works through the results of in-depth interviews with his early-stage students who collectively became known as the Eight Great Outlawsartist community.Through this documentary analysis,this study deliberates Li's thoughts and teaching philosophyupon modern paintings that emerge into the teaching theory of Anti-Academic Complex.The artistic relationship between Li's perspectives and Modernism Art is also verified in this research through information extracts culled from his articles published in books,peer reviewed journals,newspapers,and magazines,as well as from in-depth interviews with his mentored students of The Eight Great Outlaws.As it has been argued that "paintings mirror the painter",the form,style,line and colors of Li's master pieces are also analyzed in this study to reflect his personality in order to reposition the importance of Li's contribution of abstract art.This research is divided into three stages.The first stage is to understand Li's philosophy and prospective through his experience of exploring modern art,and to juxtaposition his philosophy on modern art through studying his education background and his impact on contemporary artists.The second stage is to highlight and prove Li's distinctive artistic character through application of his philosophy,practical works and the results of interviews of The Eight Great Outlaws.The third and final research stage is to demonstrate the importance of Li's artistic education efforts by identifying the significant contributions and achievements of his students,namely The Eight Great Outlaws,and to confirm the relevancy of Li's teaching philosophy upon contemporary artistic education.