Born in Sichuan during 1942, Shang Yang’s mature style takes the form of abstracted landscapes in monochromatic colors. For Western viewers, this style may seem to stem from an exposure to international trends; however, Shang Yang derives inspiration from Ming dynasty scholar Dong Qichang, who encouraged painters and calligraphers to develop a personal style that could maintain a dialogue with the great masters of Chinese painting. Like Dong Qichang’s abstracted landscapes, Shang Yang has created a personal language steeped in Chinese traditionalism