Hong Fu
Born in Beijing, China, 1946
Lives and works in Melbourne
EXPERIENCE
Graduated from Institute of Arts & Design, Beijing / Stage art designer of The National Broadcast & Television of China / Art editor of China Central Television / Director of Artist’s Gallery, Beijing, China, 1966 – 1990
Arrived in Australia, 1990
55 solo exhibitions in Australia, China, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, Italy, Hong Kong and UK (London), 1988 – 2018
REPRESENTED
2018 Guest artist to ‘Art Amoy’ International Art Fair, Xiamen, China
2017 Guest artist to ‘Mapping Melbourne’ Asian-Pacific Contemporary Art Festival
2014 Finalist of the Doug Moran National Portrait Prize
2014 Finalist of the Black Swan Portrait Prize
2012 Retrospective Celebration Exhibition of 50 Years, Montsalvat Art Centre, Melbourne
2011 Commission portrait of Chancellor of Centre Queensland University – R.C.Rennie Fritsch’y
2011 Commission portrait of Vice Chancellor of Centre Queensland University, Professor – John Rickad
2010 Portrait of ‘Sarah’ selected into the finalist of the Doug Moran National Portrait Prize, NSW
2010 Invited to be judge of St. George Art Award 2010 of Hurstville City Library, Museum & Gallery NSW
2009 Portrait of Dame Elisabeth Murdoch selected into the finalist of The Archibald Prize
2009 Commission portrait of Dame Elisabeth Murdoch by Jenny Pihan Fine Art
2009 Invited solo exhibition, Tian Jin Museum, Tian Jin, China
2009 Commission portrait of Sir James Gobbo (governor of Vic from 1997- 2000), by Supreme Court, Vic
2009 ‘Nude portrait’ won bronze medal of Herald-Sun Prize, Comberwell, Vic.
2008 Portrait of Dr. Joseph Brown selected into the finalist of The Archibald Prize 2008
2008 Commission portrait of Dr. Joseph Brown by CBUS foundation.
2006 Portrait of Cathy Freeman selected into Des Refuse’s Salon ‘the Alternate Archibald Prize Selection’, National Trust S.H.Ervin Gallery, NSW
2005 Retrospective Exhibition of 15 years in Australia, Montsalvat Art Centre, Melbourne
2004 Portrait of ‘Angela’ selected into the finalist the Dobell Prize of Drawing 2004, National Gallery of NSW
2004 Won the Most Outstanding Art Work, Stanthorp Regional Art Gallery, Queensland
2002 Won 2002 Shirley Hannan National Portrait Award, Bega Valey Regional Art Gallery, NSW
2002 Drawing portrait of ‘Sarah’ collected by Stanthorp Regional Art Gallery, QLD
2000 Portrait of ‘Ernst Fries’ selected into The Alternative Archibald Prize Selection National Trust S.H.Ervin Gallery, NSW
1999 Won Third Prize of James Farrell self-portrait Award,
1999 Castlemaine Art Gallery & Historical Museum
1997 Works collected by Safti Military Institute of Singapore
1997 Works commissioned by Singapore Discovery Centre, department of defence
1996 Portrait of ‘watch maker’ selected as the Doug Moran National Portrait Prize Finalist, National 1996 Gallery, Victoria
1996 Interviewed and broadcasted by SBS Television and SBS Radio Station
1988 First solo exhibition at the highly acclaimed China National Gallery, Beijing, China
1983 Exhibition, Bologna, Italy
COLLECTIONS
CBUS foundation, Supreme Court VIC, Murdoch’s family, Sir Charles Court, John Hilson, Stanthorp Regional Art Gallery QLD, Crown Casino, Ethel Turner’s family, Safti Military Institute of Singapore, West Australia University, University of New Castle, The CQ University Australia, and Bank of Japan.
Private collections are in China, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, USA, France, Germany, Italy, Holland, Belgium, UK and Australia
MEDIAS
One and two in Archibald Prize Vincent Fantauzzo, Fu Hong Eltham Artist Fu Hongs portrait of Dame Elisabeth Murdoch was the second most popular painting. —– Herald Sun 15 May 2009
Hong Fus portrait Dame Elisabeth Murdoch, the eyes have it. We understand this may be this years favourite with many admirers, judging by the comments we have heard. Its certainly one of the works that made as sit up and take note. —– The Portrait Strikes Back by Helen grant <Australian Artist> magazine, May 2009
In this regard there is no better candidate than Fu Hongs portrait Dame Elisabeth Murdoch, the much-loved matriarch of the Murdoch clan who turns 100 this year. Sound, sensitive and well executed, with a hint of warmth that reveals the artist admiration for his subject, this is the picture to beat in this years field. Dame Elisabeth is also a sentimental favourite, a quality that counts for a lot in the Archibald…… If it was simply a matter of awarding the prize to the most skilfully painted picture, Fu Hong and Jun Chen would have no serious competitor but this is not necessarily the trustees primary requirement. —– The Colours of Democracy by John McDonald <The Sydney Morning Herald> March 7-8, 2009
Fu Hong aspired for five years to have Dame Elisabeth Murdoch sit for him. When he made the final last year with his portrait of art collector Joseph Brown, his art dealer, Jenny Pihan, urged him to contact Dame Elisabeth. Nobody can live for 100 years still working and still joining in public life, but here she is; she is amazing, the Eltham artist says. Fu Hong made his preliminary sketch in half an hour, often which Dame Elisabeth drove him at top speed around her garden at Cruden Farm. Finding his unsteady way back to Eltham, Fu set up his kit in the evening — he usually works through the night until 5am, then sleeps — and concentrated on the philanthropists violet-blue eyes and sweet smile. You look at her smiling and you feel at peace, he says happy face, happy life. There is so much tragedy going on wars, bushfires, arsonists and their criminal act — we need a constant, positive image like Dame Elisabeth. The Murdoch matriarch is newsworthy in Sydney as well as Melbourne, a criterion Victorian artists keep in mind when seeking Archibald subjects. —– Hard to Get a Head by Alison Barclay and Elizabeth Fortescue <Herald Sun a & e> 25 February, 2009
As it is, we have two grand old ladies, Dame Elisabeth Murdoch and Margaret Whitlam. They would certainly be more than eligible as winners…… Dame Elisabeth by Fu Hong is simply an enormous disembodied. —– Portraiture as a mugs game by Christopher Allen <The Australian> 26 February, 2009