As a Colorado native, Gary Liscum is of Italian-Irish descent who delved into creative projects from a young age. He graduated with an undergraduate degree in Fine Arts from the University of Northern Colorado, in 1979. Later he graduated from the Institute of Traditional Medicine (Chinese Medicine ) in 1983, emphasizing acupuncture.

His acupuncture carrer took him into private and group practice in Northern Colorado. In 1988 he came across the opportunity to take his studies overseas, to Beijing, China.

It was during this time, that he met his wife, Xi Fan Zong. They were married in 1989. Together they translated and compiled two texts on Chinese Medicine, while raising four healthy sons.

In 2007 while living in Southern China, two of his sons took sculpture classes at a local university. Gary joined in as well and a renewal of an early passion was rekindled. Originally using ceramic clay to form smaller life like representational pieces, his work slowly evolved into exaggerated body forms with enlarged hands in an attempt to express a more meaningful content.

This became what his wife first called ‘dai zi ren “or “bag people”. The “bag people” have now evolved into forms that are reminiscent of monastic figures of both Eastern and Western religion. Content often hinges on aphorisms from philosophical, spiritual, or psychological works.

Although still practicing acupuncture, ( 40th year) Gary continues to pursue his artistic passion and continues to immerse himself in the art world. It is a route that takes us into his current collection: “Dai zi ren” or “ Bag People”.

Please enjoy!