Nanping Yun 恽南平 is an exceptionally talented artist. Her great ancestor Shouping Yun 恽寿平(1633-1690) who had made a monumental impact on traditional Chinese art in the 17th century, was considered as one of the most influential and legendary artists in ancient and traditional Chinese fine art. Today, Shouping Yun's paintings are auctioned for millions of dollars at prestigious art auctions worldwide, especially in Hong Kong. Since childhood, Nanping has listened to stories about Shouping Yun and his daughter,Bing Yun, 恽冰who was also a renowned artist, shared by her parents and other senior family members. Inspired by their remarkable achievements, Nanping always looks up to the great artists in her family with awe and views her talent in fine art as a precious inheritance from her great ancestors, motivating her to continue this legacy of excellence in fine art.
Nanping Yun specializes in drawing portraits and figures in classically realistic style. She enjoys drawing in both pastel and oil.
Although currently living in Philadelphia, Nanping Yun used to live in New York City; a metropolis with millions of people from many different parts of the world, Nanping felt constantly inspired by the cultural diversity of this city. She loved to draw quick sketches of people; the reason which motivated her to sketch was also the reason which inspired her to paint. That reason was the moment when she encountered a particular person on the street or in the subway; the moment when a person whose extraordinary appearance or temperament instantly captured her attention, her mind was quickly infused with this impression and wanted to keep this impression. For Nanping, each of these moments was fascinating which sparkled her to sketch and then permanently preserved this impression in the painting.
For Nanping Yun, the creation of every piece of her painting is an aesthetic pilgrimage during which she is fully dedicated in every step of this long process. “Gazing ” is one of her representative works of drawing portrait and figure in pastel; not only Nanping demonstrates her artistic sensitivity by capturing the spirit of person in this painting, but also manifests her skillful handling of pastel strokes and sophisticated use of pastel color.
Selected Awards and Exhibitions
"Commander in Chief", The Pacific Artistry Showcase 2024 Annual Online Open Exhibition by the Society of West Coast Artists
"Valiant Youth", Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club (CLWAC) Annual Art Exhibition, Grand Gallery at the National Art Club, Manhattan, New York January 2019
"Sobbing Violin", Enduring Brilliance Exhibition by the Pastel Society of America, Grand Gallery at the National Art Club, Manhattan, New York September 2016
"Gazing", Pastel Society of Tampa Bay Award, Enduring Brilliance Exhibition by the Pastel Society of America, Grand Gallery at the National Art Club, Manhattan,New York September 2015
"Gazing ", Allied Artists of America Award, Renaissance in Pastel Exhibition by the Connecticut Pastel Society, Norwich, Connecticut October 2014
"Upbeat", Pastel Society of America Group Exhibition in the Butler Institute of American Art, Youngstown, Ohio, from December 2014 to February 2015
"Upbeat", National Art Club Award, Enduring Brilliance Exhibition by the Pastel Society of America, Grand Gallery at the National Art Club, Manhattan, New York September 2014
"Upbeat", Jack Ahlin Award, For Pastel Only Exhibition by the Pastel Painters Society of Cape Cod, Cape Cod Cultural Center, Massachusetts, June 2014