Born into a cultivated family in Shaoguan, he grew up in a concession in Guangdong Province. From 1931 to 1932, introduced by Wang Ji-yuan, he joined the Storm Art Society as a founding member. It was the first group promoting modern art in China. In 1933, he attended the “Tokyo Institute of Avant-Garde Art,” a private art school in Japan. Under the instruction of Japanese avant-garde pioneers including Seiji Togo, Konngou Abe and Tsuguharu Fujita, Lee was deeply influenced by them. After the Kuomintang government relocated in Taiwan, Lee began to advocate abstract art and gave lessons. He was one of the influences on the establishment of the East Painting Society, contributing to the rise of abstract art movement in Taiwan’s art history.

With a large body of work, Lee was the pioneer of abstract painting in Taiwan. However, most of his pieces are not large-sized and are primarily drafts or teaching materials. Watercolor and oil paint were his major media. Work No. 057 continues his style of abstract painting. Through his technique of scripting lines on the canvas, he made an intuitive presentation of his personal state of mind. The calling of the subconscious is transformed into colorful and unbridled strokes. The piece manifests the obscure, passionate, excited, liberating emotions deep inside his mind.

Lee Chun-shan’s greatest influence on Taiwan’s art history was his advocacy of abstract art. He gave lessons in Taipei and Changhua in the forms of open discussion, independent study and dialogues at cafes. He inspired many students to pursue abstract art and contributed to the founding of the East Painting Society, the Freedom Painting Society, the Gourmand Painting Society, the Modern Eye Painting Society and other important art groups. He kept promoting the importance of abstract art so that modern art could continue to reform and develop in Taiwan. Observing the number of Lee’s former students and their students active in the art scene of Taiwan, we can realize Lee influenced quite a few artists. In the perspective of Taiwan’s art history, Lee made a major contribution to the development of art in Taiwan. Till now, his former students still uphold his spirit. They established Lee Chun-shan Foundation of Contemporary Painting to continue his legacy.