Han Meilin | |
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韩美林 | |
 Han Meilin and PrincessSirindhorn, in 2018. | |
| Born | (1936-12-26)December 26, 1936 (age 88) |
| Website | www |
Han Meilin (simplified Chinese:韩美林;traditional Chinese:韓美林;pinyin:Hán Měilín; born December 26, 1936, inJinan,Shandong[1][2]) is a Chinese artist most recognized today for his creation of theFuwa dolls for the2008 Summer Olympics inBeijing.[2][3]
In 1955 he was admitted to the Central Academy of arts and design (中央工艺美术学院), now part ofTsinghua University. In 1960 he graduated.[2]
Han is also known to have beentortured in the past. In a 2008 interview, Han admitted histendon was cut during theCultural Revolution. His thumbs became useless until later repaired by doctors.[4]
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In 1979, Han was elected to the China Artists Association (中国美术家协会). He has also published influential work such asBaoguo Sanwen (包过散文,Bāoguò Sǎnwén). In 1980, he was in theUnited States, holding art exhibitions in 21 cities includingBoston andNew York City. He was given thekey to the city ofSan Diego as an honorary citizen and the city ofManhattan declared October 1, 1980 as Han Meilin Day. In 1983 six of his work were printed on Christmas cards issued by theUnited Nations. He also gave lectures atHarvard University.[1][2]
In 1986, he was selected as a delegate to the Sixth National Committee of theChinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).[1] In 1989, he held three art exhibitions at theCrown Art Center inTaipei. From 1991 to 1994 he had solo art shows inToronto, Ontario,Canada, followed byMalaysia,Hong Kong andIndia. He spoke atYale University in 1999.[1] He has also fought the sale of illegal art activities inBeijing, saying most of thepaintings sold in auction fairs are not real.[5]
Throughout his career, he has published painting albums asMeilin's Paintings,Art Works of Han Meilin,Mountain Flowers in Full Bloom,Still on the Earth,100-chicken Paintings,Painting Collection of Han Meilin andSelection of Arts and Crafts Works of Han Meilin. He was once the art designer ofpaper-cutting cartoons such asFox Capturing Hunter,Fox Sending Grapes andHide-and-seek. He also designed the pig postal stamps for China in 1983, panda stamps for 1985 and the phoenix logo forAir China.[1]
He also designed the Five-Dragon Clock Towersculpture for the1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics. He also finished the Group Tiger for the city ofDalian inLiaoning Province, No.1 Bull forJinan andCock Crows to Herald the Break of Day forZibo in Shandong Province, Sacred Bull forShekou, a bronze bull with luminous pearl and the King of Western Chu (Xiang Yu) made of stainless steel forShenzhen inGuangdong Province.[1] More recently, he designed the 2008 Olympics mascots, theFuwa, and the symbols that represent each Olympic sport. However, he has since disowned the Fuwa and did not include them in his museum.[6]
In 2015, on October 15 at the UNESCO Headquarters, he was named the UNESCO Artist For Peace. “In recognition of his long-term commitment to promoting art and artistic education in China, his support to providing quality education to young people, notably through projects led by the Han Meilin Art Foundation, and his dedication to the ideals and aims of the Organization.” He has also announced plans to donate a 7-meter-tall bronze statue entitled Guardian of Peace, to UNESCO on the occasion of the Organization’s 70th anniversary.[7]
He was also involved in the design of the colossalstatue of Guan Yu inJingzhou, Hubei.[8]
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