Richard Tiejun Chao is a world renowned watercolorist based in Sydney, Australia. He is the Master Member of IWS (International Watercolor Society) , Signature Member of GAWA (Global Association of Watercolor Artists), and Member of NWS (National Watercolor Society of America)
His expertise and endeavor on watercolor have won him awards and reputation around the world. In the last 5 years, he’s been winners or finalists in over 60 major watercolor prizes and exhibitions globally, including First Prize in IWM (International Watercolor Masters) UK; A. J, Casson Award (First Place) in WSPWC 96th Exhibition, Canada; Mary Lind Award (Top Three) in NWS Member Exhibition ,USA; 1st Place in IWS Canada Biennial; President Award in IWS Turkey; Master Award in 1st International Watercolor Biennale Korea; Honorable Mention in Watercolor Renaissance (France), etc. His art works’ve been showecased in group and solo exhibitions in Europe, North America, Asia, South America, and Austrlia. In addition, he was interviewed by leading international professional journal The Art of Watercolor (Paris). His paintings are hung in museums, galleries and private collector’s homes. Richard travels around the world to international exhibitions and art festivals. He is also invited to jury contests, give demonstrations, workshops and lectures in Europe, Asia, and locally in Australia.
His success is not a surprise. Born into a family of artistic atmosphere，he has accomplished 11-year systematic professional study on oil painting in Xi’an Academy of Fine Arts and Xi’an Jiaotong University respectively, and obtained Master’s Degree of Art. Taking a contemporary perspective, he depicts his interpretation of the human world in his paintings. An explorative artist as he is, Richard tries out the possibilities of watercolor as a medium with huge size paintings and different techniques. His models are people from every corners of the world with diverse and unique customs and cultures, as well as religions, which amaze him; meanwhile the common feature among these people from all walks of life, their sufferings and happiness, impresses him.