Artist Biography
Wilson Shieh (1970, born and based in Hong Kong) works with ink painting, drawing and collage to create surreal and often satirical depictions of human figures. Depicting the body in states clothed and unclothed, he explores themes of identity, gender, sexuality and corporatism in a rapidly evolving modern society.
Shieh’s visual language is shaped by the technique of gongbi, which he is formally trained in. Developed in the 17th century Ming dynasty, this traditional Chinese painting approach is characterised by fine, controlled linework and carefully layered pigment. In his renowned Architectural Series beginning in the late 2000s, Shieh transforms iconic landmarks from Hong Kong’s Central District into elaborate couture outfits worn by female figures. Intricately rendered in translucent layers, the costumes evoke the gleaming facades of skyscrapers—markers of a fast-changing urban terrain. Music Families (1999–ongoing), a series portraying nude, androgynous human bodies as musical instruments, takes on a more humorous tone as some characters contort into violins, harps and double basses while others delicately hold, play and pluck at them.
Shieh obtained his BFA and MFA from the Chinese University of Hong Kong in 1994 and 2001 respectively. His work is held in major collections including the Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford; Asian Art Museum, San Francisco; Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco;. Hong Kong Heritage Museum; Hong Kong Museum of Art; M+, Hong Kong; National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C.; Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art, Brisbane; and National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts, Taichung.
Notable exhibitions include Seeing Gender (2022), Asian Art Museum, San Francisco; NOT a Fashion Store ! (2021), Hong Kong Museum of Art; Ink City (2021), Tai Kwun Contemporary, Hong Kong; The Naked Form in Modern Chinese Art (2019), Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford; Architecture Costume (2018), Hong Kong Arts Centre, Hong Kong; Ambiguously Yours (2017), M+, Hong Kong; and Hi! Houses Project (2017), Dr. Sun Yat-sen Museum, Hong Kong. The artist has also participated in major international festivals including Viewpoints & Viewing Points (2009), 2nd Asian Art Biennial, Taichung; 6th International Ink Painting Biennial of Shenzhen (2008); and APT3 (1999), 3rd Asia Pacific Triennial, Brisbane.
Shieh had his residency at the STPI Workshop in 2006, resulting in the exhibition Music Families (2009).