Huang Guoquan

Huang Guoquan Born in Yunlin, Taiwan in 1953, he graduated from the Fine Arts Department, National Taiwan Art College (now National Taiwan University of Arts), specializing in Chinese Painting, in 1976. During junior high school, under the guidance of Teacher Chen Cheng, he embarked on his artistic journey. In high school, besides Teacher Chen Cheng, he further received instruction from Teachers Jiang Qingrong and Yao Hao, establishing a comprehensive foundation in both Eastern and Western painting. During his studies, determined to grow as an artist, he spared no effort to gather any material beneficial to his learning; in an era of scarce information, “Jieziyuan Huazhuan” became my essential textbook. Particularly, the mountains, rocks, and trees of the “Four Wangs,” Tang Yin’s ink wash techniques, and Emperor Huizong’s bird-and-flower paintings were frequently subjects I independently studied and copied. Upon entering art college, under the tutelage of over a dozen renowned masters such as Li Qimao, Su Fengnan, and Fu Juanfu, he embarked on a new chapter of learning. Whether landscapes, flowers, freehand or meticulous style—he maintained an attitude of openness: “If taught, I learn; if there is a class, I attend; if confused, I ask.” With humility and sincerity, he pursued his goals. He always remembered his teachers’ advice: “Preparing for competitions is the best way to inspire self-growth.” Thus, he never lightly abandoned any contest or exhibition, but gave his utmost effort. His standards for his artworks were uncompromising: only re-painting was acceptable—never settling for mediocrity. I still recall how my teachers often encouraged us: “The fruit of success belongs to those who stand long beneath the opera tent.” There are no shortcuts, no room for opportunism—only persistent dedication. Hence, observing more, thinking more, and painting more became the very essence of my student life. To broaden my horizons and enrich my visual resources, photography became my foremost activity outside painting. Every mountain, river, scene, bird, beast, blade of grass, and tree that could aid my art became a subject for photographic study. Because in my artistic philosophy, I firmly adhere to one principle: I will not paint anything I have never seen—I must first grasp its truth before capturing its spirit. With technological advancement and the advent of the digital age, since 1998, I have utilized Painter digital software to simulate traditional Eastern brushwork and ink tones within the virtual realm, pioneering virtual digital ink-wash painting in the Chinese-speaking world. This innovation has received widespread acclaim. In my personal artistic practice, grounded in years of traditional training, I integrate concepts of Western aesthetics and leverage the distinctive qualities of both Eastern and Western media to express my contemporary thoughts. Within the framework of preserving the fundamental spirit of ink painting, I take nature as my spiritual source, external observation as the origin of inner vision, and the soul as my ultimate refuge. In this vibrant artistic field, where talents abound and diverse voices contend, only by forging my own path can I walk forward. Therefore, the stillness deep within my soul, the emptiness at the edge of consciousness, and the spiritual purity cleansed by brush and ink—all these become the soul weaving through my compositions. I quote the words of contemporary ink master Liu Jianzhong: “Former masters described scholars composing literature as carving dragons, meaning their creations appear and disappear intermittently, soaring and transforming mysteriously—masterpieces achieved by chance...” Though perhaps exaggerated, this state remains my lifelong aspiration.
        Honors First Prize, National Painting Competition, 3rd Edition First Prize, Second Southern Art Exhibition, Painting Category Educational Affairs Award, 44th Provincial Art Exhibition, Painting Category Merit Selection, 45th Provincial Art Exhibition, Painting Category Excellent Work, 12th National Art Exhibition, Painting Category Excellent Work, 8th Taipei City Art Exhibition, Painting Category Gold Medal, Ink Painting Category, 2015 Cross-Strait Top 100 Masters Calligraphy & Painting Exhibition 2004 World Culture & Technology Contribution Golden Ding Award 2004 21st Century Chinese Encyclopedia Expert Outstanding Achievement Award 2004 Awarded Honor Title of World Cultural Celebrity Columnist for Digital Ink Painting, Third Wave Magazine 2016 Awarded the Distinction of “Taiwan’s First Peony Painter” 2004 Founded Huang Guoquan Art Academy Works collected by the National Museum of Fine Arts Works collected by the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall Works collected by the Li Qimao Art Museum, Gaotang, Shandong, China Works collected by Luoyang Longmen Calligraphy & Painting Academy   Current Positions Chinese Painting Instructor, Eden Social Welfare Foundation Director and Art Instructor, Huang Guoquan Art Academy Chinese Painting Instructor, Zhongshan Community College, Taipei Founder, Taipei Modern Artists Association Supervisor, Taipei Chinese Calligraphy & Painting Society Honorary President, Luoyang Longmen Calligraphy & Painting Academy