廖修平 Liao Shiou-Ping

Liao Shiou-Ping (1936– )

From an early age, Liao Shiou-Ping showed a deep interest in painting. During his secondary school years, he was inspired by his art teacher Wu Dongcai, later enrolling in the Department of Fine Arts at National Taiwan Normal University. Outside of class, he studied in the studio of painter Li Shiqiao. In 1962, he entered Tokyo University of Education (now Tsukuba University) to major in painting, and in 1965, he continued his studies at the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris. There, he studied oil painting under the Nabi painter Roger Chastel and pursued printmaking at Atelier 17 with the renowned master William Hayter.

While building a strong academic foundation and technical training, Liao drew inspiration from the folk beliefs and cultural traditions he observed in his childhood environment, refining them into a distinctive visual language. His works soon attracted international attention, and his artistic practice expanded across diverse media—including printmaking, painting, sculpture, and mixed media—reflecting his lifelong dedication to artistic exploration.

In 1973, Liao returned to the Department of Fine Arts at National Taiwan Normal University to teach, where he also gave demonstrations and workshops in printmaking. He later lectured at institutions in Japan, such as Tsukuba University, as well as in China and elsewhere. With generations of students under his guidance, Liao’s influence has been far-reaching, earning him the reputation as a “pioneer of modern printmaking in Taiwan” and even the “Father of Modern Printmaking in Taiwan.”