The Flowers and birds

Yu was a native of Shantung Province. His youth happened in a time when the country was at war. Yu served in the army and had no time for a formal education; still the thought for the art of painting lingered in his mind. His desire for picture drawing dates back to his childhood when his maternal uncle, Hsu Chung-Hai, taught him to read and recite. His uncle, so pleased with his unusual talent, guided Yu in the right directions. Leaving the Shantung Province to settle in Taiwan, Yu always found pleasure in painting when he had leisure time. It was his talent and diligence that gained him recognition by Professor King Chin-Po. He studied from Professor King learning how to paint flowers and birds in an “elaborate” style. The impressionistic style was in fashion at the time, and Yu distinguished himself in his preference to the “elaborate” drawing style. To Yu, The Imperial Academy Paintings of the Sung Dynasty excelled in the painting of nature, though the style was in decline. Yu meant to revive the style. All the flowers and birds he painted appeared vivid, as if fluttering or flying. Since all his creations as wonderful and natural, Yu is widely recognized as a master in painting nature.