Homage to Leoi Pei 1952

"Homage to Leoi Pei" is a screenprint made by Seong Moy. Moy’s abstract expressionist style is heavily influenced by traditional Chinese folk art. This print can tell us a lot about the cultural and artistic exchanges of the mid-20th century. The artist was born in Guangdong province in China, but he moved to New York in the 1930s and studied art there. As an artist and a teacher, he sought to synthesize Western modernism with his Chinese heritage. His work resonated with American audiences who were increasingly interested in non-Western art and philosophy during the Cold War period. The style references Asian art and the title references an Asian person, which tells us of its debt to Asia. When interpreting this work, one could look at how the mid-century American art world was becoming more diverse. This particular piece may have played a role in that, depending on how it was exhibited and received. Such a study could be aided by examining exhibition reviews or even sales figures from the time. The history of art is contingent on historical context.