LABA Blue-Chip Artist Ke Yi Sets New Valuation Records in the United States
- The Beverly Arts
- 14 hours ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 10 hours ago
Artist Ke Yi
Los Angeles, California, USA. 10th July, 2026. Artist Ke Yi, Los Angeles Beverly Arts (LABA) Blue- Chip artist and recipient of the LABA Icon Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2025, has achieved another distinction: three of his paintings—Fishing Port, Red Boat, and The Chinese Rose—have been appraised at a combined value of $2.75 million by MTW, a leading art appraisal firm. On February 21, 2026, one painting alone, The Chinese Rose, was appraised at $1.5 million.
Ke Yi, also known by his Chinese name, Yi Ke, was born in Fushun, Sichuan, in August 1953. He previously served as a professor and supervisor of master’s and doctoral candidates at Sichuan University, specializing in interdisciplinary research combining literature and music. From 2010 to 2014, he served as president of the Sichuan Conservatory of Music.
In 2019, Shinhan University in South Korea awarded him a doctorate in education. He currently holds the titles of Honorary Dean of the Violin Academy and Honorary Director of the Guqin Research Center at the Sichuan Conservatory of Music.
Ke Yi plays violin
After retiring in 2014, Ke Yi began a career in oil painting and developed a distinctive style characterized by what he calls “musical thinking within painting.” By 2025, he had created more than 2,200 oil paintings. His notable works include European Refugee Crisis, Soul Returning to Seda, Beihai Scenery, Chasing the Wind, and My Heart Will Go On, as well as several series dedicated to musicians and artists. His work encompasses portraiture, natural landscapes, and cultural history, reflecting his wide-ranging experience as a musician, artist, performer, and educator. Ke Yi embodies the spirit of an “all-around artist,” remaining committed to the essence and integrity of artistic creation.
Artist Ke Yi
In March 2025, the LABA Icon Awards were held at the Luxury Gala Academy Awards viewing celebration at the Hilton Hotel in Universal City, California. The LABA International Art Festival organizing committee attended with distinguished guests and honorees from many parts of the world. The Luxury Gala featured celebrities, red carpet, entertainment, fashion shows, displays, and other activities. In recognition of his accomplishments as an international television host, master of ceremonies (MC), and founder of the Los Angeles Beverly Arts, TV host Joey Zhou received the “2025 Luxury Gala Best MC Award.”
Artist Ke Yi, Marla Maples, and TV host Joey Zhou
The LABA Icon Awards was co-hosted by Carlos Amezcua, a 22-time Emmy Award-winning news anchor; Dustin Quick, a model and actress, and TV host Joey Zhou, founder of LABA. Notable LABA guests included Marla Maples, actress, television personality, philanthropist, and former wife of President Donald Trump; Paul Ottosson, a three-time Academy Award winner and LABA co-chair; Harrison Engle, director, filmmaker, and LABA co-chair; Todd Williamson, former chair of the Hollywood Arts Council and a LABA co-chair; Sharon Amezcua, financial entrepreneur and LABA co-chair; and Douglas Ivanovich, international music producer and LABA board member.
Marla Maples and artist Ke Yi his painting, The Chinese Rose
Other distinguished LABA attendees included artist Rosana Largo Rodriguez, director of the Spanish National Children’s Museum of Science, Technology, and Art and European Chair of LABA; Karen Han, a Grammy Awards judge and LABA board member; Sir Laurent Khaiat, a LABA board member; and Joey Zhou, founder and chairman of LABA and the LABA Triennial International Art Festival.
Artist Ke Yi with his award and presenter Marla Maples
During the ceremony, Marla Maples personally presented Ke Yi with the LABA Icon Award for Lifetime Achievement. Paul Ottosson also took the stage to give special congratulations to Ke Yi on his distinguished career and well-deserved award. Ke Yi has a studio location in downtown Los Angeles where he is currently collaborating with domestic institutions to produce commercial art prints of The Chinese Rose. This initiative aims to present a premium artistic offering—crafted to international standards—to the many art enthusiasts and collectors who admire Ke Yi’s work.
The Beverly Arts News is sponsored by Art Hearts Fashion, Mogo, MDSUN, Shennel Trading, XAVVI, ISEGSTAR, World Peace One, Crab Grabber, InLight Foundation, Jiannan Huang Art Institute, Yi Ke Art in Beverly, Wenkang Xue Design Studio, and The Beverly Arts Foundation