Born in 1963 in Dandong (Liaoning province), Liu Baojun began teaching himself about painting at the age of 7. He came to Shanghai in 2003 where he launched his unique artistic style. His unmatched and exquisite style, made clear in the Pipe-smoking Women series, has made his work the most sought-after in the art market.
The works of Liu Baojun represent typical portraits of the Chinese women. But we are far from the slim and distinguished striking women of the delicate poses. They seem more in a provocating beauty, spread through the painting. Sometimes dressed in the traditional costume, sometimes in western clothes, or naked, many of the women of Liu Baojun smoke with pleasure. It is a question a not feminine tradition and an activity still taboo in the Chinese society. The artist challenges slowly our perceptions of the Chinese woman and conjugates the tradition with modern ideals.
Jacob COLLINS, August 11, 1964, NY, is a leading figure in the contemporary revival of classical painting. He earned a BA in history from Columbia College, attended the New York Studio School, the New York Academy of Art, and the Art Students League. As a student, Collins also copied extensively in museums in America and Europe. His work has been widely exhibited in North America and Europe and is included in several American museums. Collins is the founder of the Water Street Atelier, The Grand Central Academy of Art, and the Hudson River Fellowship.
Paul S. Brown was born in 1967 in the U.S. and currently resides in London. He uses to prepare most of his art materials by hand using only the finest linens for his canvasses and preparing boards for his panel paintings. He uses mediums taken from proven old master recipes and makes his own paints. Careful selection of the finest pigments and a thorough grinding into cold-pressed linseed oil ensures the finest colours are used in his pictures. .
