Edutainment > Zhao Rigetu 1938-2006

Zhao Rigetu
copyright Zhao Rigetu

Zhao Rigetu is an important artist as well as a landmark figure in the promotion of Mongolian woodblock printmaking. His role is comparable to that of Koshiro Onchi for the Japanese sosaku hanga movement. And like Koshiro Onchi he had devoted much of his time and energy in instructing younger artists and paving the way for them through the difficult times when art was state controlled and when social realism was the only way for artists to express themselves.

In some of the text documents we received from Inner Mongolia/China, the artist was also written as Zhaorigetu - just as one word. The writing in two names Zhao Rigetu might be the adoption to the habit of Han Chinese of using a first and second name.

Biography

Zhao Rigetu (1928-2006), was of Mongolian descent. We have unfortunately little and unprecise information about him (a frequent problem for us both for artists in China as well as in Japan) inspite of his great importance for the development of Mongolian printmaking and for his influence on the younger generation. Most Mongolian artists are not yet so well organized and lack the feeling for precise and complete artist biographies and resumés compared to Western artists or their colleagues in other printmaking centers of China like Yunnan or "Bei-da-Huang".

Many print works of Zhao Rigetu attended art exhibitions in China (The original text might also be interpreted as "attended the National Chinese Art Exhibitions" - we do not know). Among the exhibited works are:

• "Before Vehicle Service".
• "Diligent Gardener".
• "Girl Student".
• "Sisters-in-Law".
• "Camel Bells".

Art works of Zhao Rigetu were published in state periodicals. Zhao Rigetu translated and edited Mongolian language texts as fine arts reference for "Primary School and Foundation of Fine Arts". He founded the Jarud Banner Ethnic Print Study Society, and organized two times Jarud print exhibitions in Beijing.

Affiliations

• Member of Chinese Artists Association.
• Member of Chinese Print Artists Association.
• Member of China Fine Arts Education Study Society.
• Director of China Ethnic Group Fine Arts Promotion Association.
• Director of Jarud Banner Ethnic Print Study Society.

Exhibitions and Awards

My Teacher Zhao Rigetu - Portrait by Han Daiqin
copyright Han Daiqin born 1963

• 1984 - The print "Camel Bells" won the Sarina prize of the government of the Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region.
• 1985 - The artist was awarded with the honorable title of "Model Worker of Jirem League".
• 1986 - Title of "Model Worker of All China Education System".
• 1986 - Medal of People's Teacher.
• 1989 - Zhao Rigetu acquired the honorable certificate of "Special Grade Teacher".

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