Yun Wei (b. 1976) is a representational painter who uses traditional oil painting techniques in all of her work. Yun was born in TianJin, China. After graduated from TianJin Academy of Fine Arts with a concentration in oil painting, she began teaching at the Fine Art High School of TianJin. From 2003 to 2008, she worked as a professional artist for several galleries in New Zealand and Australia. In spring of 2008, she moved to the United States and then traveled with her family around the world for a few years. She currently has a studio in Eastvale, California.
Artist Statement
I have been inspired by the Dutch Golden Age still life artists such as Willem Kalf and Willem Claeszoon Heda since high school. Throughout my art career I have always been so obsessed with the traditional painting technique. Every time I stand in front of a master’s painting I always try to see and think deeply through the layers of the painting. I believe that the beauty of art is emotional so I strive to paint elegance and calmness into my work using objects such as antique china, musical instruments, and arranged flowers. As time passes, I hope that the message and effect of my work will be preserved.
I am so grateful that I was trained as a classical artist and I hope to learn until the last moment of my life. I aspire to give my audience the same elegance and calmness that I paint into my work. “Art in not what you see, but what you make others see. “—- Edgar Degas
Education
1996-2000 TianJin Academy of Fine Arts
1992-1995 Fine Art High School of TianJin
Teaching
2003-Present Yun Wei’s Art Studio
2000-2001 Fine Art High School of TianJin
Exhibitions
2024 The Nature of Art, Huntington Library, California
2024 OPA National Exhibition, Mark Arts Center, Kansas
2024 Art of the Cowgirl, Queen Creek, Arizona
2024 54th WAOW National Exhibition and Sale, Phippen Museum of Western Art Museum
2024 21st Miniature Masterpiece Show and Sale, Phippen Museum of Western Art Museum
2024 Women’s Work, Cowgirl Artists of America, A.R. Mitchell Museum of Western Art
2024 Cowgirl Up Show and Sale, Desert Caballeros Western Museum
2023 Richardson 75 Small Works, Wisconsin
2023 18th Cowgirl Up Art Show, Desert Caballeros Western Museum, Arizona
2023 LPAPA Strong Postcard Auction, LPAPA Gallery, California
2023 OPA National Exhibition, Reinert Fine Art, South Carolina
2022 California Art Club Monumental Miniatures, California
2022 The OPA 2022 Western Regional Exhibition
2022 Where in the World are We, Illume Gallery West, Montana
2022 The 31st OPA National Exhibition
2022 The 111th Gold Medal Exhibition, California Art Club
2022 Best of America Small Works Exhibition of NOAPS
2021 Less is More, The Laguna Plein Air Painters Association, California
2021 The 30th OPA National Exhibition, California Center for the Arts, Escondido Museum
2021 110th Gold Medal Exhibition, the Hilbert Museum of California Art
2021 Best of America Small Works Exhibition of NOAPS, Principle Gallery, SC
2021 Art Revolution Taipei, Taiwan
2021 15th New Vision Art Show & Auction
2020 NOAPS Best of America Nation Exhibition, Florida
2020 Less is More, California
2020 The OPA 2020 Western Regional Exhibition, Utah
2020 Art Matters, Huntington Library, California
2020 The 13th New Visions Art Show, Utah
2020 California Art Club 109th Annual Gold Medal Exhibition, California
2020 The OPA National Exhibition, Texas
2020 Group Show, Paris, France
2020 Richardson 75 Small Works 2020, Wisconsin
2019 20th Anniversary Exhibition: California Art Club at The Old Mill
2019 Holiday Small Work Show, California
2019 Oil Painters of America 28th Annual National Juried Exhibition of Traditional Oils
2019 The 12th New Visions Show
2019 California Art Club ‘s 108th Annual Gold Medal Exhibition
2018 California Art Club Monumental Miniatures
2018 105th Annual Exhibition of Allied Artist of America
2018 California Art Club ‘s 107th Annual Gold Medal Exhibition
2017 The OPA 2017 Western Regional Exhibition
2016 Group Show “ Made in California”, USA
2008 A Celebration of Wellington Artist, New Zealand
2007 Solo Exhibition “For My Mother”, New Zealand
2006 Group Show of Wellington Artist, New Zealand
2005 Group Show of Wellington Artist, New Zealand
2004 Group Show of Christchurch Artist, New Zealand
2003 Group Show of Christchurch Artist, New Zealand
Awards
2024 Reserve Champion, 2024 Art of the Cowgirl
2023 Director’s Choice Award, Cowgirl Up 2023
2023 Award of Excellence, OPA Wet Painting Competition
2021 1st Place Small Works, LPAPAS
2020 Award of Excellence, OPA International Wet Painting Competition
2020 Best in Show, Richardson 75 Small Works 2020, Wisconsin
2019 Finalist of the 14th International ARC salon
2018 4th Place of Still Life Category,
Members Only Competition, Portrait Society of America
2018 Finalist of Non-Commissioned Portrait Category,
Members Only Competition, Portrait Society of America
2017 Finalist of the 13th International ARC salon
2017 Finalist of Still Life Category,
Members Only Competition, Portrait Society of America
2016 Finalist of Still Life Category,
Members Only Competition, Portrait Society of America
2015 Honorable Mention of Non-Commissioned Portrait Category,
Members Only Competition, Portrait Society of America
Press
Fine Art Connoisseur, May 2022
Southwest Art, March 2019
Southwest Art, June 2019