Biography
Yongsheng Yang (born 1967) is a Chinese printmaker and painter whose work spans reduction woodblocks, traditional woodblocks, and a distinctive form of "positive etching." Born in Qujing City, Yunnan Province, he graduated from the printmaking department of Yunnan Art University in 1991 and went on to become president of the Qujing Printmaking Institute and a member of the China Artists Association.
Yang achieved national recognition through admission to the prestigious nationwide Chinese Print Exhibitions and Chinese Art Exhibitions, where several of his works earned awards and were acquired by institutions including the National Art Museum of China. In 2004, he received a full scholarship from the Ford Foundation, and in 2006, he began graduate studies in printmaking at the University of Hawaii.
His technique combines traditional woodblock printing with an innovative approach he describes as "positive printing," in which ink is applied to raised areas of an etched plate and printed by hand, similar to woodcut but with acid-etched rather than carved surfaces. His prints are notable for their rich textures, vibrant colors, and subjects drawn from the landscapes and cultural life of Yunnan Province.
Key Facts
- Active Period
- 1967
- Nationality
- 🇨🇳China
- Movement
- Contemporary Mokuhanga
Frequently Asked Questions
Yongsheng Yang (born 1967) is a Chinese printmaker and painter whose work spans reduction woodblocks, traditional woodblocks, and a distinctive form of "positive etching." Born in Qujing City, Yunnan Province, he graduated from the printmaking department of Yunnan Art University in 1991 and went on to become president of the Qujing Printmaking Institute and a member of the China Artists Association.
Yongsheng Yang was active born in 1967. They were associated with the Contemporary Mokuhanga movement.
Yongsheng Yang's work was shaped by the Contemporary Mokuhanga tradition in Japanese woodblock printmaking. Contemporary Mokuhanga: Contemporary mokuhanga (literally "wood-block print") encompasses artists working from approximately 1970 to the present who continue or reinvent traditional Japanese woodblock printing techniques.
Yongsheng Yang is a contemporary printmaker contributing to the ongoing tradition of woodblock printing. Contemporary prints offer collectors an affordable entry point into Japanese printmaking. Prices range from $100 for smaller works to $1,500 for major compositions. Most prints sell in the $200–$600 range. The contemporary printmaking scene is active and international, with artists exhibiting at galleries, art fairs, and print biennials worldwide.