Arx Lee (Li Chaoxiong)
b.1978, Zhongshan, Guangdong Province, China
Now works and lives in Guangzhou
In the end of 1990s, Arx Lee has begun to present his early heroic romanticism works in group exhibitions in Canton, Beijing and Japan, even before his graduation from the oil painting department of Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts in 2002. He has created multiple fantastical characters with elements of comics, narratives, religion and cultural references. The life and storyline of these characters develop alongside the artist’s mindscape and life experiences, as if they grow together. He pays tribute to photographer David Hamilton with his latest young lady paintings which are full of the aura of enlightenment in the poetic composition and a touch of warmth and serenity in his refined palette.
His recent major exhibitions include “The First China Illustration Art Exhibition”, Beijing Folk Arts Museum, Beijing, China, 2019; “Freeze Frame 21 Moments – Young Artists Invitation Exhibition, Southern Art Museum, Guangzhou, China, 2013; “CIGE 2012”, China World Trade Centre, Beijing, China, 2012; “Infinitely Close to the Front - A Contemporary Art Exhibition of ‘Death’”, Guangdong Museum of Art, Guangzhou, China, 2011.
Many of his works are treated as teaching references, being included in "Foundation Courses of Academy of Fine Arts", "Chinese Art Power Series" and "2002 Chinese Art Yearbook" etc. He is as well the author of multiple poetic and introspective graphic novels, including “City of Love Series 1 – Happiness at That Time”, “City of Love Series 2 – Xiao Xue”, “Bilibi” among 2004-2005 and “Buda-Pest” in 2010, the last one published in three languages. He is decorated with awards including Special award of 5th International Art Academies of Japan, Excellent Award of 1st Nokia Design Creative Competition, Gold Award of 2nd Nokia Design Creative Competition, the 2nd Guangdong Oil Painting Biennale Outstanding Work Award and his work was selected for the National Art Exhibition of China. Public collections include He Xiangning Art Museum, Art Museum of Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts and Red Brick Art Museum.
