David Lee (1944 - )

Were it not for his splendid artistic talents, David Lee's renown today would be as Dr. Lee, M.D. His painterly skills, even as a child, were looked upon as remarkable. But would the world respond to the value of his works? That was the question which concerned his father, a practical man in a patriarchal society.

Lee was urged by his father to enter the field of medicine. As a dutiful son, he majored in medical studies for three years before finally receiving his father's approval to pursue his career in art. "My father and I struck a bargain," Lee relates. "If I could win the Chinese National Painting Competition, he would honor my wishes. I did and he did."

David Lee was born in Canton, China in 1944 and in 1946 moved with his family to Hong Kong, where he was raised. He began painting at age 4. He was educated in Hong Kong and attended Taiwan University, where he received a B.A. in Fine Arts. He also attended Kaoshung University in Taiwan and the Far East Academy of Art in Hong Kong. David Lee was the youngest winner ever of the prestigious Chinese National Painting Competition.

After moving to Hawaii, where he initially worked for the Consulate General of the Republic of China in the Foreign Affairs Department, David Lee devoted himself to his artwork full-time. He has had numerous one-man shows throughout the world including Hawaii, the U.S. Mainland, Canada, Japan, France, Germany, Switzerland, and Taiwan. David Lee's paintings hang in the permanent collection of the Taiwan University, in the National Museum of Taiwan, and the Chuk-Yun Museum in Hong Kong. Worldwide, his art is shown in over 300 art galleries, universities, and museums, as well as many noteworthy private collections in the U.S., Asia, Europe, and Canada, including the collection of the Imperial Family of Japan.

Among the numerous honors David Lee has received are awards from the government of the Republic of China, the government of Switzerland, the City and County of Honolulu, and the City of Osaka, Japan, where he received the Gold Key to the City for his achievements.

David Lee has decided to fulfill a life long dream of painting abroad. Beginning in January 2004 he has decided to move from Hawaii and travel the world seeking new inspirations for his art. While he will be traveling he will continue to paint and his Maui Studio will be showing all of his newest works.