About
Biography
Su Ge is an American brush painter and calligrapher based in Illinois. She learned calligraphy and the art of carving stone seals from her father in China and trained under the famous Chinese artist Liu Chunhui – a third generation disciple of master Qi Baishi. In the 1970s, she studied fine arts for two years at the Art School of Shanghai Arts and Crafts and earned a bachelor’s degree in English at the Shanghai College of Education in 1983. After moving to the US in 1987, she earned her graduate degree in education at Illinois State University in 1989 and worked as an IT professional at State Farm for two decades. After retiring from industry, she returned full time to her first love: painting.
Specialty
Su specializes in traditional Chinese brush painting with an emphasis on landscapes, wildlife, and nature.
Chinese brush painting uses rice paper, ink ground on an inkstone, natural fiber brushes, and Chinese watercolors to capture the inner essence of everything from the tranquil beauty of a bamboo grove to the majestic heights of a towering cliff. The hallmark of Chinese brush painting is its emotive nature. A Chinese brush painting isn’t just a 2-D rending of an image but rather a multifaceted vehicle of expression that is designed to cultivate deeper introspection. Each painting is unique and marked with the artist’s personal seal, and larger works are often inscribed with a poem designed to spark contemplation.
Su hosts her original artwork at the McLean County Arts Center in Bloomington, IL. She also contracts with local shops like the Garlic Press in Normal, IL to sell her prints and stationery.
Exhibitions
Su participated in the 2018 Fusion Art International Art Competition. Of her two submission, “Botanical Garden Under Moonlight” was nominated for showing in the 2nd Annual Colors Art Exhibition and “Quiet and Happy Life in the Mountain” was selected for inclusion in the 3rd Annual Landscapes Art Exhibition.
Su also exhibited her artwork at the “Life of Arts” exhibition in Shanghai, China in May 2018. The exposition featured the artworks of many local and international artists ranging from oil paintings, watercolors, Chinese brush paintings, and traditional calligraphy. As the only female participant, Su felt honors to have her work on public display during the week-long gallery viewing.
In January of 2019, Su also hosted her “Tranquility of Nature” exhibition at the James S. Murray Gallery at Lincoln Land Community College.
