FHSU University Relations
HAYS, Kan. — Visiting scholar Tao “Tracy” Lei, Lanzhou, China, will bring the art of traditional Chinese wall painting to Fort Hays State University during her four-month residency beginning Aug. 17.
Lei will pair with assistant professor of art and design Joel Dugan to teach students about mural painting. Dugan said the wall paintings are large, socially derived dioramas similar to those found in America.
“This area of the west and Midwest is known for regionalist murals,” said Dugan. “It references blue-collar workers and farmers. The Chinese wall paintings feature the same type of social class. We are bringing together the same type of artists from two parts of the world.”
Dugan, who owned a mural painting company for seven years, said that the goal of the residency is to make students aware of opportunities outside of studios and galleries such as painting commercial and municipal murals.
“Galleries don’t pay a living income,” he said. “This allows them to create revenue through a craft. And they provide a social service.”
Dugan plans to include Lei in his studio as much as possible by having her participate in dialogues and classroom critiques. She will hold a presentation at the beginning of the semester and give three workshops.
Lei has rare knowledge of how to find and grind minerals into paint in order to make Yancai, a special painting made of rock pigments.