Wei Tai

Wei Tai Oil Painting - Recital WEI TAI arrived in America in 1991. Since that time, he has successfully found his rightful place among the leading Chinese artists of his generation. Wei Tai was born in a rural village south of Shanghai, China. His father was a reserved sculptor in their homeland and taught his son both sculpting and painting techniques. Wei Tai went on to be a graduate from the Shanghai Fine Art Institute. He was also an Assistant Professor of Art and Fashion design in Shanghai College. The artist served as the Chief Designer of the China Silk Corporation for seven years. This allowed him to travel to Western European countries and become exposed to different cultures. These travels gave birth to his longing for new expressions in art.

Wei Tai’s respect for the history of China also came from several visits to the massive limestone statues of the Buddha at Lung-Men (Dragon Gate) and Dun-Huang, the famous trade route in the remote northwestern corner of China. It was at Dun-Huang that Buddhist pilgrims entered China from India. Wei Tai’s painting of Dun-Huang are fluid, expressionistic depictions of the colorful tales of Buddha painted on wall frescoes in "The Caves of Buddha".

Wei Tai Oil Painting - Party Time In the artists own words, "I was searching and learning from the ancients, and the murals are a treasure warehouse of art."

During his stay in America, Wei Tai’s Eastern subject matter and techniques have been influenced by European and American art traditions, resulting in an exquisite mixture and marriage of both, including Western subjects and Eastern style. He is multi-talented, working in Oil, He innovated an unique technique oil painting on Copper; Acrylic, watercolor, and Chinese brush painting with equal expertise while allowing each of these mediums to influence each other constantly. Wei Tai’s silk paintings are breathtaking. His sculptures also reflect the marriage of two art traditions.

In Wei Tai’s own words, "The inspiration for art can be found everywhere." Wei Tai’s passion can be seen in all his works.

Wei Tai’s paintings and sculptures are currently held in many private and public collections. The artist has had one-man shows and group exhibitions in Shanghai, Tokyo, Milan, Cologne, Amsterdam, Arizona Fine Art EXPO, Sonya Smith Gallery, Scottsdale AZ, Parkside Gallery Carmel(California), West Valley Art Museum(Sun City), Avon Fine Art Festival Colorado, Beaver Creek Fine art Festival Colorado, Carefree Fine Art festival AZ, New Mexico, Lakes Art Center, Chicago, Kansas, and Oregon.

Awards and Recognitions

C.M Russell Art Museum 2008 Auction.
Oil Painters of America’s 2008 National Juried exhibition in Dana gallery in Missoula, Montana.
The Phippen Museum, 2007. 1st place mixed media.
International Portrait Competition’s Certificate of Excellence 2007.
International Portrait Competition’s Merit Award 2006.
Voted The Best of Scottsdale 2006, Oil figurative.
International Artist’s 2004 Annual book, 100 ways to paint still life & floral.
Mountain Artists Guild’s best of show summer 2004.
International Artist’s Magazine 2nd Prize 2003, Watercolor still life.
Portrait Society of America Certificate of Recognition April 2003, Oil figurative.
The Artists’ magazine Honorable mention 2001, watercolor still life.
The Artists’ magazine Honorable mention 2000, Acrylic landscape.
The Artists’ Magazine finalist winner 2000, Oil figurative.