Chiu Ya- Tsai

Chiu Ya-Tsai was born in Yi-Lan, on the east coast of Taiwan. A self-taught artist and writer, he left school in 1963 to complete his compulsory military service, during which he immersed himself in literature, exploring Chinese history, Western classics, and the complexities of human nature through the works of Shakespeare and Dostoevsky.

Chiu began his creative journey as a novelist, winning the Prize for Literature at The Elegance Gallery in Taipei for his work Women of Eastern District. Later, he shifted his focus to painting, specializing in portraits—often in profile—of poets, writers, and aesthetes. His art reflected a deep engagement with cultural and intellectual figures.

He worked primarily in Taipei, where he became a regular at the iconic Wistaria Tea House, a gathering place for celebrities, literati, and artists. And his studio became a creative hub where he developed his distinctive style, blending traditional techniques with modern sensibilities.

Chiu’s work has been exhibited extensively in Taiwan and internationally. Notable exhibitions include solo shows at the Taipei Fine Arts Museum and the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts, as well as participation in group exhibitions in Hong Kong, Japan, and France. Chiu’s works are held in prestigious public and private collections. And his paintings are celebrated for their poetic elegance and profound exploration of human emotion.

Chiu Ya-Tsai passed away in April 2013 at the age of 64. That same year, his painting Woman in the Moonlight achieved a remarkable price of $3,658,000 at the Kingsley Art Auction in Taipei, cementing his legacy as a significant figure in Taiwanese art.