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Apelles Zhou (b.1992) is a compelling young painter dedicated to representational fine art. Born in Jinan-Shandong, China, Apelles developed an early interest in the classical works of artists such as Rubens Raffaello and Michelangelo. After refining his basic drawing and oil painting skills, Apelles went on to attend the top art university in China, The China Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA). In CAFA, Apelles studied in the oil painting department under Hu Jianchengin. He earned his bachelor's degree in 2014, and then continued on to graduate with a master’s degree in 2017. In 2016, Apelles traveled across Europe to Rome, Florence, Venice, Paris, Amsterdam and many other cities in an effort to study the works of the old masters that reside in various museums. In 2019, Apelles moved to New York City, visiting modern museums across the city for more inspiration and finished his studies, copying the old masters's paintings in the Met. Since 2017, Apelles has been working as a professional painter, primarily painting figurative paintings as well as commissioned portraits .