Irene Chou Biography

Irene Chou (1924 Shanghai-2011 Australia) a student of Lui Shou-kwan and a key figure of the New Ink Art Movement in Hong Kong. The one stroke technique, derived from Chinese philosophy Zen and Taoism which was influenced by her mentor Lui Shou-kwan, has led to her dynamic, abstract paintings—and became her signature style in the 1980's. Upon graduating from the Economic department at Shanghai St John's University in 1945, Chou worked as a journalist for Peace Daily Shanghai. Thereafter she left for Taipei and in 1949 for Hong Kong. Five years later she started to learn classical painting under Zhao Shao'ang, a master of the Lingnan school. During 1960's she was introduced to Western Abstract Expressionism by Lui Shou-kwan and inspired to combine Western and Chinese art while striving to retain the essence of Chinese traditional art. Her works demonstrate a solid grounding in traditional Chinese painting methods as well as the footprint traced from Lui Shou-kwan's iconic Zen painting. She has won several prestigious awards including the Pacific Culture Asia Museum Fine Art Award, United States, 1973; the Hong Kong Urban Council Fine Arts Award, 1983 and Artist of the Year Award by Hong Kong Artists' Guild, 1988. After suffering a life-threatening stroke in 1991 she moved to Brisbane, Australia and passed away at the age of 87. Alisan has been showcasing her works since 1987 and included her in the Lui Shou-kwan 40 Years On Exhibition in 2015.