LASVEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL News May 31, 2000 7 ASIAN JOURNAL PUBLICATIONS
HeHas Caused Chinese Paintings tobe Respected in the West Heis the One Who Laid the Foundation for Chinese Paintings toEnter the International Forum
The World Poets and Cultural Congress, Composed of 5,612 experts andscholars, concluded that Master Wan Ko Yee is the one who laid the foundationfor Chinese Paintings to enter the internationalforum. This Congress conferred upon the Master the title of the world’s only “DistinguishedInternational Master.” The government of mainland China built ahuge museum in order to display Master Wan Ko Yee’s calligraphy, paintings andother works. This is the only museum ever built in the world in honor ofsomeone who is still alive.
Although Chinese paintings are well known in international art circles,such paintings have never really received the respect of the West. There has been a great difference in the price of Chinesepaintings as compared to Western paintings. Thus, certain pejorative terms have been used in international artcircles to describe Chinese paintings in general.For the past few thousandyears, Chinese paintings have not enjoyed any real status or real criticalacclaim in international art circles. It seems as if Chinese paintings in generalhave been the “sick man of Asia” and that people viewed them as being basicallyall the same.
Although Master Wan Ko Yee is regarded as the most outstanding artist,he is, after all, an artist who paints Chinese Paintings. But what can onereally say about the treatment of Chinese paintings in international artcircles? Such Paintings have been regarded as inferior. Nevertheless, somethingquite extraordinary has happened. Master Wan Ko Yee has truly become the onewho has laid the foundation for Chinese paintings to enter the internationalforum. Not only has he laid this foundation, he has also become the one who hascaused Chinese Paintings to surpass Western paintings.
On May 28th, Unique Art Collections International Co., Ltd. auctionedMaster Wan Ko Yee’s painting entitled “Majesty” for a price of US$2,125,327.This has shocked the entire world of art. No Western painter living in theworld today can command such a high price for his paintings. Master Wan Ko Yeehas ended the few thousand year old era in which Chinese paintings weredisregarded or neglected in favor of Western paintings. Chinese paintings arenow respected. They are no longer viewed as being inferior.
Why are the paintings of Master Wan Ko Yee so expensive? Why are hispaintings at least ten times more expensive than the paintings of famousChinese artists throughout history? Because Master Wan Ko Yee has absorbed thequintessence of several different areas of knowledge. Thus, he has become themost outstanding artist. The style of his paintings are grand, elegant and fullof life. His paintings exhibit his profound knowledge and artistic skills,which are unmatched in the entire world. There has been no artist in Chinesehistory, no matter how great the artist may have been, who reached the statusand degree of accomplishment reached by Master Wan Ko Yee. The following areexamples of his status and accomplishments:
First, Master Wan Ko Yee was conferred the title of the world’s only “DistinguishedInternational Master” by an organization composed of 5,612 experts and scholarsfrom 48 different countries and regions. This position has the same level ofhonor as a head of state. The Distinguished International Master Certificatewas personally signed by Juan Antonio Samaranch, then president of theInternational Olympic Committee. Master Wan Ko Yee is the only artist in theworld with this accomplishment.
Second, the government of the State of California and the government ofthe City of San Francisco each proclaimed March 8, 2000 as Master Wan Ko YeeDay. Master Wan Ko Yee is the only artist in the world with suchaccomplishment.
Third,the government of mainland China built the Master Wan Ko Yee Museum in order to display the Master’s works. It has sevendifferent sections and is similar to an imperial palace. This huge museum,which honors the accomplishments of one who is still alive, is unprecedentedand unique. Throughout all of history, the Chinese government never built amuseum in honor of someone who is still alive except when it built this museum.
Fourth, 2,137 outstanding Buddhist monks, nuns and laymen, representing416 different associations and temples all over the world, confirmed by votethat Master Wan Ko Yee is a Master who practices orthodox and correct Buddhismand who has mastered both exoteric and esoteric Buddhism. These Points wereconfirmed by 99.6% of the 2,137 votes cast. Master Wan Ko Yee is the onlyartist in the world with such accomplishment.
Fifth, the World Buddhism Association verifies and guarantees theauthenticity of the Master’s painting. Whenever one of the Master’s authenticpaintings is sold at an auction, there will be s small scroll which comes withthe painting. In this scroll, there will be a seal of the World Buddhism Association and the signature of its Chairman in orderto guarantee the painting’s genuineness. There is no other artist in the worldwith such a guarantee of authenticity.
Sixth, Master Wan Ko Yee has received honorary doctorate degree from 92different colleges and universities. Four of these schools have also conferredupon him the title of professor. Master Wan Ko Yee is the only artist in theworld with such accomplishment.
For all of these reason, Master Wan Ko Yee has truly become the one whohas laid the foundation for Chinese paintings to enter the international forum.Master Wan Ko Yee has brought respect to Chinesepaintings in international art circles. No longer will such circles look downupon Chinese paintings. Chinese paintings can now truly be called the shiningcrystal of the 5,000 year old Chinese culture. Master Wan Ko Yee is thegreatest painter of Chinese paintings in all of Chinese history!
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