Liu Baojun
China, 1963
Artist's works
Artist Profile

Introduction and Experience
Liu Baojun (b. 1963, Liaoning, China) is a self-taught artist whose career reached a turning point in 2003 after relocating to Shanghai. He has since established himself as a pivotal figure in contemporary Chinese painting, most notably through his iconic Pipe-Smoking Women series, which is highly sought after by international collectors.
Liu’s works are characterized by sumptuous textures and a masterful command of color and light. His figures—often seated, reclining, or lost in quiet contemplation—evoke an atmosphere of effortless leisure. While grounded in classical realism, his compositions possess a vibrant vitality that skillfully bridges traditional Chinese spirit with contemporary sensibility.
Drawing from his love for literature, music, and his hobby of collecting pipes, Liu challenges modern aesthetic standards that equate beauty with thinness. His portrayals of full-bodied, languid women reveal a profound beauty beyond conventional ideals. Through Western oil techniques infused with a classical sensibility, Liu has developed a deeply personal style that is both narratively rich and visually enduring.
Exhibitions and Awards
Selected Exhibitions
Solo Exhibition
2014
Elegant Postures —X-Power Gallery, Shanghai, China
2008
Yi-Jie Art—Shanghai, China
2006
Shanghai Yibao Gallery—Shanghai, China
2004
Shanghai Concert Hall—Shanghai, China
Shanghai Science and Technology Museum—Shanghai, China
Group Exhibition
2016
7 Fairies vs. Fat Women —X-Power Gallery, Taipei, Taiwan
2012
Elegance Exhibition : Emerging Youth Artists—X-Power Gallery, Taipei, Taiwan
2011
Brilliance of Two Cities —New York / Los Angeles, USA
Contemporary Art —X-Power Gallery, Shanghai, China
Cross-Strait Artists —X-Power Gallery, Taipei, Taiwan
2007
New Contemporary Oil Painting Artists —Yi Bao Gallery, Shanghai, China
Five Artists from China and Russia —Russia
2006
APL Gallery—New York, USA
Hong Kong Galleries Group Exhibition—Hong Kong
Group Exhibition—Yu Bo Gallery, Shanghai, China
Gallery Group Exhibition—Taiwan
2005
New Red Gate Gallery—Shanghai, China
New York Galleries Group Exhibition—New York, USA
Art Fairs
2011 – 2025
Art Revolution Taipei (A.R.T.)—Taipei, Taiwan
2014
Asia Contemporary Art Show (AHAF Hong Kong)—Marco Polo Hongkong Hotel, Hong Kong
2006 – 2008
Spring Art Salon—Shanghai Agricultural Exhibition Center, Shanghai, China
2004 – 2005
Shanghai Art Fair—Shanghai Mart, Shanghai, China
Awards
2013
Selected— Compass Selection Competition , Orange County Center for Contemporary Art (OCCCA), California, USA
Selected— 2013 Worcester Open , UK
2012
Winner, Gallery Exhibition Prize— 6th International Prize Arte Laguna , Venice, Italy
2011
Selected— 159th Autumn Exhibition , Royal West of England Academy (RWA), UK
Selected— 2012 Royal Society of British Artists (RBA) Annual Exhibition , UK
Selected— Royal Institute of Oil Painters (ROI) Annual Exhibition , UK
Collections
Private Collections
- Works are held in private collections in Taiwan, China, and Europe.










