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Xuan
was born in Shanghai, China in 1952. As a teenager, he studies under
famed Chinese sculptor Zhang Cheren. Xuan later worked as an art
designer and professional artist, and eventually took advanced fine
arts and crafts classes at the Central Arts and Crafts University in
Beijing, considered one of the highest art institutes in China.
In
1981 YongSheng began contributing artwork to a variety of publications
and magazines in China, Japan, Taiwan, and the United States. Since
that time his illustrations, paintings, and paper cuts have appeared in
Beijing People's Arts Publishing House, Sinorame Magazine, Cricket, and
many other periodicals. YongSheng and his family immigrated to Canada
in 1990. Throughout the 90's he continued to contribute work to
Cricket, a North American children's magazine. In 1998 he illustrated
his first North American picture book, Ten Suns, retold by Eric A.
Kimmel. A Kirkus Reviews contributor call YongSheng's illustrations
"magical" and "as richly crafter and detailed as fine embroidery on
Chinese silk". YongSheng next provided artwork for Lensey Namioka's
story The Laziest Boy in the World which also appeared in 1998.
Booklist critic Karen Morgan praised the book as "both fun to read and
visually appealing". YongSheng has continued his publications including
illustrations for That Ghosts for You, The Story of Chopsticks, The
Story of Noodles, and both authoring and illustrations for The Dragon
Lover and Other Chinese Proverbs. More books are scheduled to be
published through Cricket and stories with Sinorama magazine.
Personal
Born July 24, 1952 in Shanghai, China; immigrated to Canada 1990; son
of Xing Kang (a civil engineer) and Bing Xian (Ting) Xuan; married Rong
Rong Gu (a restaurant manager; children Feli.; Education: Attended
Central Institute of Culture, QiDong China, 1970-73; Central University
of Arts and Crafts, Beijing, China, Fine Arts and Crafts certificate,
1985-86; attended University of Regina, Canada 1993-94.
Career
QiDong Arts Factory of China, QiDong, JianShu, China art designer,
1973-78; Industrial Arts Institute of China, Nan Tong, JianShu, China,
master art designer and director, 1978-90; Burant Cabinet and Mill
Work, Regina, Saskatchewan, woodwork designer, carving, and producer;
1990-93; Benchmark Mould Ltd., Windsor, Ontario, art director and
master engraver and finisher, 1994-96; Ford City Business District,
Windsor, Ontario, mural artist, 1998 - present. Freelance artist and
illustrator 1981 - present.; Exhibitions: Solo art exhibition at the
Art Gallery of Shanghai, China, 1985; exhibition at several one-man
shows in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada; art work for the Rooster's
Antlers exhibition at the Society of Illustrators Original Art
Exhibition, 1999. Member: Chinese Arts and Crafts Association.
Awards, Honours
Parents Choice storybook recommendation, Parents Choice Foundation, 1998, for The Laziest Boy in the World;
Notable Children's Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies, National
Council for Social Studies-Children's Book Council, 1999, for Ten Suns.
Writings
ILLUSTRATOR
- Eric A. Kimmel, reteller, Ten Suns: A Chinese Legend, Holiday House, 1998.
- Lensey Namioka, The Laziest Boy in the World, Holiday House, 1998.
- Eric A. Kimmel, reteller, The Rooster's Antlers: A Story of the Chinese Zodiac, Holiday House, 1999.
- (And author) The Dragon Lover and Other Chinese Proverbs, Shen's Books, 1999
- Marianna Carus (Editor), That Ghosts for You: 13 Scary Stories, Front Street/Cricket Books, 2000
- Ying Chang Compestine, The Story of Chopsticks, Holiday House, 2001
- Ying Chang Compestine, The Story of Noodles, Holiday House, 2002
- Ying Chang Compestine, The Story of Kites, Holiday House, 2003
- Ying Chang Compestine, The Story of Paper, Holiday House, 2003
Other
Contributor of illustrations and writings to numerous publications,
including ShangHai People's Arts Publishing House, Beijing Esperanto
Magazine, YuNan Science Magazine, ZheJiang people's Arts Publishing
House, Beijing Arts and Crafts Magazine, Beijing People's Arts
Publishing House, Beijing Traditional Arts Magazine, JianShu
Traditional Arts Magazine, JianShu People's Arts Publishing House,
Sinorama Magazine, and Cricket magazine group.
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