Biography

Ai-Wen Wu Kratz lives in Chantilly, VA, a suburb of Washington, DC. She is a native of Hong Kong. She grew up in one of the high-rise apartments in Hong Kong, which ranks as the world's fourth in population density. The skyward expansion in architecture and the twenty-four-seven city activities had fostered her ability to cope, to share and to honor a dutiful sense in community wellness.

In May, 2026, Wu Kratz and her family visited her uncle, Wu Zifu’s Retrospective Exhibition, “A New Sound Breaking The Silent Valley”, at the Guangzhou Art Museum, Guangzhou, China.

Wu Kratz is from a family of six children, with parents who encouraged education and emphasized ethics. In addition to Mathematics and Medicine, a noticeable number on her family tree have the interest in visual arts and performing arts. As teenagers in Hong Kong, Ai-Wen and her younger brother were sent to studios on weekends to study watercolor paintings. In the U.S. for her college education, Ai-Wen’s parents gave her the freedom to make a career choice that would likely lead her to a gratifying future.

"To be a painter, you must be a person of high integrity.” said Ai-Wen's father, “For your works mirror you!” Ai-Wen sails on as a painter with a profound commitment.

Ai-Wen received an BFA degree from Fort Wright College, Spokane, WA; her Master Of Fine Art degree from Cranbrook Academy of Art, Bloomfield Hills, MI. She is an alumna of Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture and the New York Studio School of Drawing, Painting and Sculpture. In addition to the US, Ai-Wen had one-person exhibitions in France, Germany, UK, Egypt and Austria. In 2025, she had a one-person exhibition, “Color Contradances” at the Susquehanna Art Museum, Harrisburg, PA, from June 4th to August 24th. Her works are in collections in Canada, Germany, Bangladesh, Argentina, UK and the US, including the Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum, St. Louis, MO.

In 2021, in a group exhibition in Florence, Italy, Dr. Mara Ferloni, Critic and Journalist, commented on works by Ai-Wen Wu Kratz.

A fascinating language rich in meaningful forms with a dialectic indicating a style of maturity; an emotional lyricism which becomes a protagonist across a palpable rendering of forms. A scenic rendering full of joy, in which one is surrounded by a joy of colors which testify to a great creative sensitivity expressed in a language which preserves a fascinating poetry in its structural integrity.

Wu Kratz’s works appear in a great number of international publications. She was a recipient of scholarships and awards. She was praised by critics for her ‘wide range of competence’ and ‘standard of excellence’. She was recognized for her remarkable command with lines in drawings.

Ai-Wen Wu Kratz’s works are represented by Agora Gallery, New York, NY.

Artist Statement

All periods in the history of mankind are a unique Time Signature. On visual art, Ezra Pound said, “Make it new.” That is, we must make art which bears our own Time Signature. Along with medicine, engineering and all other fields, art is in a constant quest for discovery. It is not newness for newness’ sake. Rather, it is to respond to our intellectual query within. Contemporary art, often, does not deliver literal images, but invites the viewer to make visible his or her association, based on the visual elements presented. This is a way to create intellectual dialogues between the artist and the viewer. Since associations may vary, from one viewer to another, creativity is multiplied and is contributed by viewers, as well.

I associate art making with writing. Both go through a structural process that bases on the choice and placement of interrelated elements. My goal is to make visual poems to bring the intellectual and emotional value of visual arts into the life of the public. For example, about the Amazon River, a line such as, “This river, a wound on the earth, carved by serpents as they passed,” has more apprehensive power for me than the seven thousand words or more in the Wikipedia reporting on facts of the river. In writing, choice of words, their combination and order give the power and conviction to the reader. In the same way, the aim of my lines, colors, planes, forms, shapes and movements thereof, is to achieve such a magical conveyance to the viewer’s association and leave alone the aspect of representation.

Although visual art can be a vehicle for social function, my works carry no specific messages. They are void of social or political contents. My search aims at spirituality, intellectualism and aesthetic. Since it has been proven that art has healing effects, I aim at sharing my works for the healing mission. I draw inspirations from nature, literature, classical music, stage designs, vocal art and operatic lyrics, choreographic lines in ballet and modern dance. Color is the essential element in my works.

Ellsworth Kelly took pride to make only public art of monumental scales. He disdained to have artworks to be in households and offices, while I find it a fulfillment to have my works in living and working spaces. It is a fact that, in general, the public would like to select goods that they like, in addition to what they need. This confirms that the tangible objects in our environment do matter to our peace and contentment. I would like to meet such a need with my artworks. It is not for beautification, but to cherish our daily living on a higher spiritual and intellectual level. I hope my works will bring joy and relief to others like ‘Molly Pitcher’s’ water delivered to the American soldiers during the Revolutionary war. During the years, I had worked as an Art Instructor under the name of Josephine Wu at the University of Missouri-Columbia and subsequently, I taught Art Classes in Adult Education at the University of Missouri - St. Louis. For some years, I took on the responsibility of an Office Manager at a medical office. Beginning 2010, I have been a full-time practitioner in the field of visual art.

Website: http://www.aiwenwukratzartstudio.com
FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/aiwenwu.kratz
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/aiwenwukratz1/

Ai-Wen Wu Kratz

Bette Ridgeway