Fang Zhaoling
Fang Zhaoling | |
|---|---|
 Statue of Fang Zhaoling in the Hong Kong University Museum | |
| Born | 14 January 1914 Wuxi, China |
| Died | 20 February 2006 (aged 92) Hong Kong |
| Nationality | Chinese |
| Known for | Painting, Calligraphy |
| Spouse(s) |
Fang Shin-hau (m. 1938–1950) |
Fang Zhaoling (Chinese: 方召麐, 17 January 1914 – 20 February 2006) was a Chinese painter and calligrapher. She was the mother of Hong Kong politician Anson Chan.
Born in Wuxi, Jiangsu, she lost her father when she was very young. With the support of her mother Fang began studying calligraphy and painting. In her teens, the young artist was sent to the United Kingdom to pursue her studies.[1] She studied under great artists like Chao Shao-an[2] and Chang Dai-chien and attended both the University of Hong Kong and Oxford University.[3]
Fang continued to work throughout her 80s, and in 1996 received an honorary Doctor of Letters from the University of Hong Kong.[4] In 2005, Fang donated 42 of her paintings to the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco. These are housed alongside a joint piece that she painted with Zhang Daqian.[5]
Personal life
Fang knew Fang Shin-hau (方心誥; 1913 – 1950), the son of well-known anti-Japanese general Fang Cheng-wu, when she was studying in the UK and married him in 1938. She bore him eight children. Fang escaped with her family to Guilin, Tianjin and Shanghai in China due to war and resettled in Hong Kong in 1948. She was widowed in 1950. Her eight children were:
- John Fang — lawyer
- Anson Chan — first local to have served as the Chief Secretary of colonial Hong Kong; She also acted as Governor of Hong Kong and previously served as Chief Secretary for Administration as well as an elected Legislative Councillor of Hong Kong
- Lu Fang Ningsheng — President of a travel company and honorary president of Hong Kong–Shanghai Cultural Exchange Association
- Philip Fang — Hong Kong simultaneous interpretation specialist; once served as chief of the UN Chinese interpretation section (deceased)
- Fang Kwai-sang — banker
- Fang Lam-sang — travel company manager
- Frank Fang — medical doctor
- David Fang — Orthopaedist; chairman of Hong Kong Academy of Medicine
Awards
In 2003, Fang was awarded the Bronze Bauhinia Star for her accomplishments in Chinese ink painting and calligraphy.[6]
References
- ^ "Chinese painter Fang Zhaoling dies". CBC News. 21 February 2006. Retrieved 28 August 2010.
- ^ Hong Kong Artists: The Early Generation. Hong Kong: Hong Kong Urban Council. 1978. p. 30. ISBN 9622150071.
- ^ "Hongkong Artist Feted In America". South China Morning Post. 18 August 1960.
- ^ "Honorary Graduates". The University of Hong Kong. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
- ^ "Anson Chan's mother dies aged 92". South China Morning Post. 21 February 2006.
- ^ Benitez, Mary Ann (1 July 2003). "Controversy as honours body says no one earned top award". South China Morning Post.
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