By C.C. Wang.

As I write this introduction for Choi Chor-Foo, I reflect upon my own life. I have dedicated my whole life towards art, exploring the world to observe nature as is the tradition of thousands of years of Chinese culture. Over the course of my studies, art for me has developed into something magic and fabulous. I've come to see art as a vast ocean, without limits -- endless.

In looking over the works of Choi Chor-Foo, it is clear to me that he has focused his entire passion on his art and nature as well. Among his most unique works are his snow landscapes. One can see the potent marks of Eastern expressionism represented in this truly special series of oil paintings. Indeed, through his intense studies and brushstroke techniques for his snow scenes, he has developed a new world -- I really believe it obvious that these paintings came from his soul. He is completely sure in his technique, completely assured of his passion.

In the field of Western oil paintings, Choi Chor-Foo is very successful. He has lived in the United States for more than 20 years and American mainstream art has firmly established a place for him. Choi Chor-Foo loved art ever since he was a youth -- at age 13, he became the youngest member of the Chinese Association for the Advancement of Painting, and in 1964, his work was selected for the National Art Museum in Beijing.

After such outstanding success in China, Choi Chor-Foo studied under the great masters Young Sing Sam and Ting Yen Yung in Hong Kong. Therefore, his foundation in Chinese ink paintings is superb as well. From the 1970s onwards, one could always find Choi Chor-Foo's one-man shows and exhibitions in the international scene.

Choi Chor-Foo's ink paintings are rooted in tradition and represent the best parts of the history of art. For decades, he has never stopped creating, and continues in his work with great diligence. His paintings reveal passion and talent as well as diversity -- landscapes, portraits and still lives.

Indeed, Choi Chor-Foo's work reveals a knowledge of the inner workings of art from the Yuan period -- a period I find one of the highest levels of art and among the most beautiful. But Choi Chor-Foo has gone beyond that -- he has drawn from the power of nature into places never gone before in history. As the saying goes, "Western wind, Chinese bones, all united in harmony."

Realism -- abstraction -- innovation -- continuous creation. To quote an ancient poet, "This world from age to age has talents come, and each will claim their centuries."

Choi Chor-Foo has asked me to write this foreword, and these are only simple lines of introduction. I hope you will all enjoy his work as I have.

C.C. Wang writes this foreword in the summer of 2001, under the light of his studio.
(Translated by Charles Choi.)