Gao Jianfu was a Chinese artist during World War II.
14 Facts About Gao Jianfu
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Gao Jianfu was born in 1879 in the city of Canton, located in the Guangdong Province.
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When Gao Jianfu was thirteen, he entered the studio of Chinese artist Ju Lian in Lishan, and for the next seven years he acted as his apprentice.
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At Ju Lian's studio, Gao Jianfu became close friends with Chen Shuren, a fellow artist.
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In 1903, Gao Jianfu began working under the painter and collector Wu Deyi.
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Gao Jianfu studied at the Canton Christian College, now known as Lingnan University.
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Greatly inspired by his professors, Jianfu felt compelled to leave for Tokyo.
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Later, Gao Jianfu joined the Chinese Assassination Corps, a Chinese anarchist group.
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Gao Jianfu took inspiration from traditional Chinese artists Tang Yin and Lan Ying.
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In 1929, Gao Jianfu was accused of anti-foreign sentiments during his time as the chief organizer of the government's first National Art Exhibition held in Nanking.
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Gao Jianfu continued to publish articles, where he defended his concept of new national art.
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Gao Jianfu suggested that national painting abandon the "elitism" of traditional art, and engage more directly with the Chinese public.
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In 1938, Gao Jianfu left Japanese-occupied Canton for the island of Macau.
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At the time Mao Zedong came to power in 1949, Gao Jianfu fled to Macau.