Xingjian, Gao

Gao Xingjian (whose name is pronounced gow shing-jen) is the first Chinese recipient of the Nobel Prize in Literature. Born in 1940 in Jiangxi province in eastern China, he has lived in France since 1987. Gao Xingjian is an artistic innovator, in both the visual arts and literature. He is that rare multitalented artist who excels as novelist, playwright, essayist, director, and painter. In addition to "Soul Mountain and "One Man's Bible, a book of his plays, "The Other Shore, and a volume of his paintings, "Return to Painting, have been published in the United States.