Hou Chun-Ming

Hou Chun-Ming (traditional Chinese: 侯俊明) is a contemporary Taiwan artist from Jia-Yi, Taiwan.

Hou Chun-Ming was born on January 10, 1963, in Liuchiao Town, Jia Yi County in Taiwan.

In 1982, he entered the Department of Fine Arts, National Art Academy and won the first prize in the National Oil Painting Exhibition in 1983.

After graduating from college in 1987, he became a prolific painter.

In his representative painting of that era: The Intestine Sutra series, he attempted to magnify the conflict between “sex” and “folk lore” within his art.

In 1988, Hou's work Little Women was showcased at the Busan International Biennale in Korea.

In 1990, Hou's Mythology & Desire Punishment were well received by critics.

But what really shot him into the mainstream was Anecdotes about Spirits and Immortals.

The title of Anecdotes about Spirits and Immortals was inspired by the name of Gan Bao's book In Search of the Supernatural.

His creativity was inspired by his many field trips with his teacher Chen Chuan-Xin.

Teacher Chen took Hou to Tainan to see the Dongyue Temple, well known for its monks who communicate with ghosts.

After visiting the Hall of Dragon Metamorphoses in Kaoshiung, Hou was shocked to find they chained the mental patients together.

His creativity was equally fueled by the magical power of Taiwan's folklore.

In fact he decided to create his own gods and weave his own mythology into his work.

Consequently, in 1995，Anecdotes about Spirits and Immortals was selected to represent Taiwan in the Venice Biennale.

In 1997，Hou & his first wife divorced unexpectedly, which threw his world into total darkness.

He lamented: “Geniuses such as poet Jean Nicolas Arthur Rimbaud、painter Vincent Willem Van Gogh、Amedeo Modigliani、Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec were all dead at the age of 37.

When I was 10, I was fascinated that their lives could burst into flames so suddenly and so brilliantly, therefore, I thought to die young would be worth it.

And if I were not meant to be an artist like them, to spend 37 years in art would be long enough, I should start looking for something else to do.

To me, 37 years old was a great gateway, and before I realized it, I was in front of this gateway.”His creativity also stagnated.

A Suicide Message of Dying on Love at Age 36, Hou writes: “ My whole body hurt sharply when I lie down, I was not spared the pain when I was out of the bed either.”.

Hou did not stay depressed for long, he participated in group therapy and become a freelance writer and to paint aimlessly.

These were all attempts to cope with the pain.

In particular, he found solace in painting the Mandala.

For Hou, “The round mandala is a mirror reflecting your own inner world.

You can meet yourself through painting aimlessly.

A round Mandala is like a womb, a seed or an egg, it nourishes all possibilities.

In 2001，Hou became a father, which re-invigorated his artistic muse.

From being a wandering ghost most of his life, he suddenly became a guardian of lives.

Through voluminous freelance writing and graffiti paintings, Hou’s creative style had metamorphosed from the art of “challenging any opponent to a fight” to the search for one's inner soul.

At the end of 2005, an art collector sent Hou's work to Hong Kong Sotheby's Sales for auction.

Much to his surprise, Hou Chun-Ming shot to international stardom and his name became recognized worldwide.

After many years of relative obscurity as an artist, Hou Chun-Ming's quick ascent into the art world began in April 2007 when Hong Kong Sotheby's auctioned his graphic artwork Erotic Paradise.

Although it was not considered a favorite, it nevertheless sold for $480,000 HKD, twelve times over the starting bid.

New Paradise & God Hates You were each sold for over $1 million HKD and Anecdotes About Spirits and Immortals sold for a record $2.64 million HKD, the highest international auction price ever commanded by a contemporary Taiwan artist.

In 2007, inspired by Taiwan god culture, his print Erotic Paradise became an overnight sensation.

It was sold for $480,000 HKD.

His print Strong Anal Sex：The Buddha with Refined Love then sold for $192,000HKD.

Hou's fame quickly escalated to new heights.

In the same year at Hong Kong Christie's auction, his woodblock printings Anecdotes about Spirits and Immortals, a set of 37 pieces, were sold for $2.64 million HKD.