Sculptor's studio

Author: Li Xiangqun
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2001-09-01
Features: Contemporary figurative sculpture evolved from traditional realistic figurative sculpture, which gradually formed a new tradition in the 20th century. The main source of this new tradition is the classical and realistic sculpture art of Europe, introduced by students who studied in Western Europe in the 1920s and 1930s and in the Soviet Union in the 1950s and 1960s. It gradually blended with the ancient Chinese national tradition and, under the impetus of reality, was cast into a sculptural style with Chinese national characteristics, though many works still retained a Western flavor. It goes without saying that during the 1950s to 1990s, the left-leaning political climate and artistic policies, along with underdeveloped economy, constrained the development of sculpture. The style of realistic figurative sculpture was relatively monotonous, and the themes were narrow, with artists' individuality not fully expressed. In this collection, works by representative artists are included, showcasing their skills, cultivation, and relatively subtle aesthetic pursuits. It should be noted that the style of their works cannot be fully summarized as "figurative realism." Some also made various attempts in expression, symbolism, metaphor, and abstraction, achieving notable results. However, overall, their works and contributions primarily lie in figurative realism. This article does not mention the names of any individual contemporary Chinese sculptors or analyze any specific works. Sculpture is an art of imagery, and attentive readers will surely have their own insights and evaluations while reading the works in this book, Sculptors' Studios. All the works collected here are created by outstanding contemporary Chinese sculptors. The title of this book is excellent—by its name, "Studio" implies an open space where creation, experimentation, and work are ongoing. Our artists are diligently exploring, and they will continue to make new contributions. For their creative efforts and works, we can proudly say: they are contemporary, and they are Chinese.