Yun Gee (Chinese, 1906 - 1963)

Modern internationally renowned artist Yun Gee was a Chinese painter born in 1906 in the Guangdong region. With a father who was a merchant and entrepreneur living in the United States, he decided to permanently join him in 1921. Four years later, he enrolled at the San Francisco School of Fine Arts, where he studied painting and drawing under the guidance of artist Otis Oldfield, who became his mentor and friend. During his studies, he immersed himself in San Francisco's avant-garde scene and joined the Chinese Revolutionary Artists' Club, which significantly influenced his artistic output, focused on socially engaged themes and precise use of warm and cool colors.

 

In 1926, he held his first solo exhibition at the Modern Gallery, where he met Princess and Prince Achille Murat, who became his initial patrons and benefactors. A year later, strongly encouraged by Princess and Prince Murat, he moved to Paris. His residence in Paris bolstered his popularity and allowed him to further refine his style. He engaged with the Parisian avant-garde scene and participated in numerous exhibitions.

 

Several of his works were selected for showcasing at the Salon d’Automne, Salon des Indépendants, and Salon des Tuileries, making him the first Chinese artist to be exhibited there and earning him international recognition. In 1932, he was invited by MoMA in New York to participate in the "Murals" exhibition. Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, he exhibited in various New York galleries and passed away in 1963 at the age of 57. Five years later, the Robert Schoelkopf Gallery dedicated a retrospective to his memory and work.

 

A pioneer of Chinese modernist painting, Yun Gee developed a style that blended various modern movements such as surrealism, cubism, fauvism, and synchronism. He bridged the gap between Asian and Western cultures by creating contrasting works directly linked to his life and the places he lived. Presently, his artworks are highly regarded, fetching prices exceeding several thousand euros and greatly sought after by collectors.

 

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