Mr. Chow Uncovers His Inner Artist, and Brings It Home to China

In his native China, however, Michael Chow is better known to many as the son of the legendary Zhou Xinfang — a grand master of Beijing opera and founder of the Qi performance style who was tortured during the Cultural Revolution in the 1960s. He died in 1975 after years of house arrest.

Now, Mr. Zhou, who was politically exonerated after his death, is revered by the official cultural establishment. And as the country celebrates the performer’s 120th birthday this month, his son has put together a more personal tribute, in the form of an exhibition called “Voice for My Father.”

The three-part show, which opened on Jan. 23 at the Ullens Center for Contemporary Art in Beijing, is anchored by a series of abstract paintings created by Mr. Chow himself.

It is the first exhibition in mainland China for Mr. Chow, who was sent to England in 1952 at the age of 12, leaving behind a pampered life of servants and cars in Shanghai. In England, he attended boarding school and later trained as an artist at Central St. Martins in London. After struggling to make it as an artist, he turned to an endeavor that had a much more willing clientele in London: Chinese cuisine. About three years ago, the 75-year-old restaurateur, entrepreneur and cultural icon returned to making art after a 50-year hiatus, painting under his Chinese name, Zhou Yinghua.

In addition to his own paintings, the show features a selection of portraits of Mr. Chow from his wide-ranging personal collection, including works by artists such as Andy Warhol, Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat. Also on display is a selection of archival images of Mr. Zhou, who wrote more than 200 operas and performed over 600 different characters during his illustrious 60-year career.

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The New York Times