About this study guide:

Diane Wang gathered materials and assembled this site for a class in Asian Art history taught by Lampo Leong. Sections of Leong's syllabus are used with permission.

Lampo Leong currently teaches classes in Chinese Brush Painting, Calligraphy and/or Asian Art History at San Francisco State University and several campuses in the San Francisco Bay Area. He has said about his class:

"I do not want to teach a class about the history or anthropology of China as seen through its art. Rather, I introduce students to a visual language by showing how that language evolved in one culture. It is more important that students learn to look at and study works of art in terms of their significant artistic achievement. Students can develop a taste and an eye for Asian Art."

There is no substitute for seeing original works of art. This is especially difficult when studying Asian painting, which puts more emphasis on the quality of each brush stroke than on mere contour lines. Fine reproductions in books are some assistance to the many students who cannot see the originals in museums or galleries. Internet images, like printed reproductions, often do not include the detail and feelingof the original. Nonetheless, the Internet does provide a valuable source.

Lampo Leong graduated from the Guangzhou Fine Arts Institute in China and received his M.F.A. from the California College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland. He has had more than thirty solo shows and hundreds of group exhibits around the world. His paintings have been widely collected by museums internationally, including the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco and the Macao Fine Arts Museum. Recently his 39' x 39' calligraphic design for a granite medalian was selected by the San Francisco Art Commission for permanent installation in a city park. You can see some of Lampo Leong's work at think-ink.net.

Diane Wang has studied Asian art for several years. She teaches web publishing tools at Ohlone College in Fremont, California.

The required readings draw on Lampo Leong's syllabus but the recommended readings are from Diane Wang. Every attempt has been made to conform to copyright laws. This does not mean that none of the material is copyright, but that the "fair use" clause of US Copyright Law has been adhered to. In particular, any copyright material used here is (a) not used for commercial gain and used exclusively for educational purposes; and (b) used in limited amounts in comparison to the published source. If there is objection to use of material, please contact Diane Wang at dwang@think-ink.net with your objection.

Return to Topics Page