Wu Jiahua

In his early years, Wu Jiahua pursued studies abroad, moving between Eastern and Western learning. Not only is he well-versed in architectural design, but he also has a deep passion for painting—particularly ink-wash art. His ink-wash works reflect the mutual influence of Eastern and Western traditions; leveraging his background in architecture, he draws interdisciplinary connections that have led to profound insights in his painting practice.

Wu Jiahua’s ink-wash art transcends the formal conventions of traditional brush and ink, entering a realm of “metaphysical” expression. In traditional Chinese painting, brush and ink techniques primarily serve to embody “ancient methods”—the mastery of established rules within formal aesthetics. Wu, however, abandons these rigid rules entirely: he reconfigures traditional brushwork, rhythmic patterns, and tonal variations, absorbing the techniques of Chinese ink-wash in a symbolic manner.

This approach subverts and discards the iconic imagery of traditional Chinese painting, instead expressing through pure form—endowing his works with a distinctly contemporary tendency.

His paintings emphasize the “calligraphic quality” and “uninhibited spirit” of Chinese ink-wash, evoking a sense of carefree ease (xiaoyao zizai). This quality mirrors the unruly freedom in his personality, rooted in the influence of Lao-Zhuang philosophy. As he himself put it: “Lao-Zhuang philosophy has granted me freedom; it has set my mind and spirit free to wander in leisure ever since.”

Ink paintings were collected by University of Sheffield, UK; MAPPIN Gallery, UK; Art Centre of Manchester, UK; Guan Shanyue Art Museum, Shenzhen; Painting Institution of Shenzhen；Hangzhou West Lake State Guesthouse, etc.

Professional Background

Studies architecture at Tongji University, following the master artists such as Shengduo Chen(陳盛鐸), Fangbai Zhou(周方白), Qiuye Wang(王秋野), Ying Zhu(朱鷹), Jizhong Feng(馮紀忠), Mingti Fan(樊明體) , ect.

1964-70

Appointed to Gansu Province (Lanzhou, Tianshui，Wudu), deeply northwest in the mainland far away from Shanghai, impacted by the Culture Revolution

1970-79

1979

Seizes the chance to take the examination for a graduate programme, for two of his paintings are selected to take part in the National Exhibition of Fine Art twice, which makes him famous enough to get the opportunity

1979-82

Studies in Southeast University, Nanjing, and gets his M.A.

Stays in Southeast University as a lecturer, teaching Faculty Architecture

1982-84

1984-90

Attends Zhejiang Academy of Fine Art, be the Director of Teaching and Research Department of Environmental Art Major

1987

The Lost Village, water color, is the first sold painting on the art fair hold by the Zhejiang Academy of Fine Art with 3000 dollars high price

Visiting professor of Landscape Sciences, University of Reading, UK

1990

Steering Professor, MAPPIN Gallery Studio, Sheffield, UK

1990-91

Visiting Professor of Harriet-Ward University, and Edinburgh College of Art, UK

1991-92

1990-93

Visiting Professor, Department of Landscape Sciences, University of Sheffield, UK; gets his Ph. D

1992

First solo exhibition in Chinese Art Centre, Sheffield, UK

Solo exhibition of water-color and sketch with the Post-modernism style in MAPPIN Gallery, UK; travels to Moscow and back to China

1993

1993-96

Returns to China Academy of Art (once named Zhejiang Academy of Fine Art)；professor of Department of Environmental Art;

Landscape Morphology, the Edwin & Mellen Press, Ltd., UK

1995

Moves to Shenzhen; attends Shenzhen University; professor of College of Architecture and Urban Planning; General Editor of magazine Architectural Worlds;

1996

Advertisement design of UIA shows on the Design Exhibition of National Fine Art Exhibition

1999

More than 93 architecture design projects have been done by him and his studio

2000-2020

Travels to US for editing Architectural Worlds; Figures out his favorite painting style, finally named it Chinese Abstract Expressionism

2000

Publication of Outline of the History of Environmental Design, Chongqing University Press

2002

Publication of Environmental Art Design, Shanghai Painting and Calligraphy Publishing House

2004

Solo exhibition of Chinese paintings in Painting Institution of Shenzhen