artists

JAMES LEONG
Download Resume

James Leong's early paintings from the 1950's were in the tradition of the Abstract Expressionist movement in California, where he was an active participant in the art scene in San Francisco. Born in San Francisco's Chinatown, Leong won a scholarship to the California College of Arts and Crafts for his undergraduate studies and completed a Master of Fine Arts from the San Francisco State University.

In 1956, Leong was awarded a Fulbright Fellowship to live and study in Oslo, Norway where his work evolved into figurative paintings and themes of the human condition. From 1959-1964, Leong worked at the American Academy in Rome through a Guggenheim grant. He resided in Italy for the next 31 years, happily experimenting with his work, exploring landscapes and 'Eurocentric' themes.

In the late 80's, Leong's work, yet, takes another turn, when he began to wrestle with his Chinese American identity. His inner dialogues are expressed in layers of colors and traditional papers blended together to reveal symbols and characters that reflect the richness of Chinese language and heritage. His large paintings allude to vast landscapes and heavy forests bathed in light and shadow. Exploring themes of nature, superstition and ethnic identity in America, Leong continues to create works that are unapologetic in their mystification.

Leong returned to America with his family in 1991 and presently lives and works in Seattle, Washington.

Museum Collections:
The Princeton Museum
New York University Museum
Rochester Museum
Harvard University
Dallas Museum Of Fine Arts
Indianapolis Museum Of Art
The Georgia Museum
The Weatherspoon Art Gallery The Chinese Historical Society Of America and Chinese American National Museum, San Francisco