Zhao Guangmo

Zhao Guangmo, whose courtesy name is Gudan, was born in 1972 in Heze, Shandong Province. He comes from a family of calligraphy and painting. Since childhood, he has been learning traditional Chinese painting under his uncle Zhao Tianlou (a disciple of Wang Xiaogu). With the advantage of being from the hometown of peonies and guidance from numerous famous painters, he has also engaged in the identification and research of Caozhou peony varieties. His own style of Chinese paintings of peonies has become unique and he is known as the first person to "grow and paint peonies". His works won the gold award at the Third Prince Cup Cross-Straits Calligraphy and Painting Competition in 2000. He was included in the "Cross-Straits Excellent Works Collection" written by Shen Peng and was awarded the title of Outstanding Artist of Cross-Straits. In the International Art Sea Cup Calligraphy and Painting Competition, he won the gold award and was included in "A Grand View of Contemporary Famous Chinese Calligraphers and Painters", receiving the title of "Famous Chinese Calligrapher and Painter" inscribed by Qiu Gong. In 2008, he won the "Lifetime Achievement Award of the Yellow Emperor's Art Cup" at the Beijing International Yellow Emperor's Art Cup Calligraphy and Painting Competition and was awarded the title of "Outstanding Artist of the Republic". Later, he received titles such as "National Outstanding Talents 1949-2009", "World Renowned Chinese Figure", "Star of the Republic", "Outstanding Chinese Figure of the Sixtieth Anniversary of the Founding of the Republic", "Merit Figure", and "Outstanding Figure in the Arts for Sixty Years". He participated in exhibitions such as the National Outstanding Meritorious Figures and Famous Calligraphers and Painters Exhibition held at the Beijing Conference Center, the Wang Xiaogu Art Museum of Linyi University's Centennial Commemorative Calligraphy and Painting Exhibition, and the Personal Peony Painting Exhibition at the Caozhou Peony Garden. He compiled books such as "World Celebrities Record", "Spirit of the Motherland", "Chinese Art", "Homage to the Motherland", "Patriotic Literature Anthology", and "Anthology of Chinese Famous Calligraphers and Painters". He currently serves as a council member of the Chinese Artists Association, honorary vice president of the Beijing Oriental Literati Calligraphy and Painting Academy, an art committee member of the China-Foreign Famous People Art Research Institute, dean of the Traditional Research Institute of the Caozhou Peony Garden, senior engineer of the China Peony Research Association, and researcher of the Wang Xiaogu Art Institute.