05/26/2026
This month, we’re excited to highlight the work of Woo Chong Yung (1898–1989), a Chinese American artist who immigrated to Worthington, Ohio, in 1966.
Born to a wealthy family near Shanghai, Woo studied his family’s collection of Chinese literati painting. In the 1920s and 1930s, he exhibited his work internationally with other contemporary artists whose work engaged with the legacy of this tradition. Following the Communist takeover of Shanghai and the Great Leap Forward campaign, Woo faced the threat of political violence for his background and international ties. In this climate, Woo and his wife, Ying Mei, immigrated to the United States, where they joined their son, Tien-Hsing, a new faculty member at Ohio State University. In greater Columbus, Woo continued his artistic practice and created a community by teaching Chinese calligraphy and swordplay, exhibiting his work, contributing to local arts councils and ethnic festivals, and organizing exhibitions of imperial Chinese art.
See his work and learn more about the history of American artists of Asian descent in the exhibition "East of the Pacific: Making Histories of Asian American Art," on view until August 16.
Woo Chong Yung, “Landscape with Lake, Houses, and Boat.” c. 1930–1950. Album leaf, ink and watercolor on paper, laid down. Gift of Dr. Tien H. Wu.
Woo Chong Yung, “Bamboo with Shrike,” 1949. Black and ochre ink on paper. Gift of Dr. Tien H. Wu.
Woo Chong Yung, “Waters and Mountains,” c. 1970–1979. Ink on paper. Gift of Dr. Tien H. Wu
Woo Chong Yung, “Landscape in the Style of Gao Kegong,” c. 1930–1950. Album leaf, ink on paper, laid down. Gift of Dr. Tien H. Wu.
Woo Chong Yung, “Winter Landscape,” c. 1930–1950. Album lead, ink heightened with white lead on paper, laid down. Gift of Dr. Tien H. Wu.
Woo Chong Yung, “Landscape with Mountains and Houses,” c. 1930–1950. Album leaf, ink and watercolor on paper, laid down. Gift of Dr. Tien H. Wu.
Woo Chong Yung, “Pine Branches,” c. 1960–1969. Ink on paper, laid down. Gift of Dr. Tien H. Wu.
