陶晴山   Tao, Qing-Shan   1938~

Qing-Shan Tao, whose domicile of origin was Shaoxing , Zhejiang province, was born in Nanjing, China, in 1938. His father, Yun-Lou Tao, was a famous calligrapher and painter. Qing-Shan Tao studied calligraphy and painting beside his father and was nurtured with poetry, literature and the classics from childhood. In 1936, he enrolled in the Department of Fine Arts, National Art College and was deeply influenced by two of his teachers: Zhao-Shen Jiang and Ke-Min Hu. After receiving training from his father and these two masters, Tao developed profound artistic attainments and created a style combining the quaint charms of ancient times and the elegance of the literati. Qing-Shan Tao has achieved outstanding performance in every art discipline, mastering poetry, calligraphy and painting. The strokes and ink of his works bring a fresh, velvety and majestic visual enjoyment to viewers, and convey new ideas on the basis of tradition. His works, known as “new literati painting,” have been displayed in numerous exhibitions at home and abroad. When creating a new series, he tends to weave his travel experiences into his works, employing a thick ink and rendering technique to give prominence to the verdant landscapes. The booklet of sketches from nature, Zhangjiajie Wulingyuan, is a stellar example of this creative style. Apart from landscape painting, Tao has never abandoned his passion for freehand flower painting and calligraphy. He indulges himself with brushes and ink to reflect his fine sentiments , using loquats and chrysanthemums as themes with which to express his thoughts through brush strokes. Tao is also good at inserting poetic prose into his paintings, making them a perfect complement to each other. Since 1997, Qing-Shan Tao has become active in Taipei and Keelung, vigorously participating in many art events. He served as Supervisor of the Keelung Seal-Carving Association, Supervisor of the Chinese Art Association, Secretary of the Chinese Calligraphy and Painting Association, and President of Keelung Art Association, dedicating his whole life to the development of art in Keelung.