Ten Chinese Oil Paintings by Luo Zhongli

Author: Wang He
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-12-01
Features: Luo Zhongli's Father (1982): No one can forget this face, wrinkled with age. He is the spiritual father to both you and me, a witness to the vicissitudes of Chinese history, and a product of his time. After the era of "," people yearned for something deeper and more rooted in Chinese culture. In the early 1980s, the "rustic trend" became the fashion pursued by artists. Luo Zhongli, who was studying at Sichuan Fine Arts Institute at the time, emerged as a key figure. Coincidentally, hyper-realism in Western modern art became the most suitable reference for Father. Today, when facing Father, we still feel an intense sense of burning.
The introduction of European oil painting to China initially served as a new painting technique adopted by Chinese artists. However, after a century of exploration, oil painting has today become a language for Chinese artists to freely express their thoughts and emotions. Art knows no borders, and oil painting is a universally recognized category in the international art world. Yet, Chinese oil paintings carry unique cultural connotations. Through the lens of "Chinese oil painting," we can see the history and richness of contemporary Chinese society, as well as the prolific nature of Chinese oil painting and the diverse personalities of its artists. In a sense, Chinese oil painting is a rich visual cultural text of modern Chinese art.
Selecting works from ten Chinese oil painters for publication is an academically significant endeavor. These ten painters represent different periods of the mid-20th century, whether they lived in China or abroad. Through long-term exploration and accumulation, they have created distinct artistic styles. Their works have had a significant impact on both the international and domestic art worlds, and their artistic achievements have become symbols of China's exchange with the world.
The personal experiences and artistic inclinations of these ten painters vary. In terms of subject matter, some focus on social phenomena, while others emphasize psychological expression. In terms of artistic form, some lean toward realistic depiction, while others favor abstract expression. Yet, their art shares a common cultural feature: rooted in Western oil painting techniques, it blends China's own cultural traditions, particularly the concept of harmony between nature and humanity and the method of unifying the depiction of the external world with the expression of the inner world. This gives their works a unique Chinese cultural imprint.
In today's era of economic globalization, the shared space for international art has expanded. These ten painters, through their unique artistic languages, embody the spirit of the times, humanity, nature, and trees, leaving an indelible mark on the history of contemporary art. The World Knowledge Publishing House has chosen these painters to promote the achievements of Chinese oil painting in international cultural exchange. We believe that these artists' works, as representatives of Chinese art, will engage audiences from diverse cultural backgrounds in broader cultural spaces, thereby fostering mutual understanding and emotional connection.
Luo Zhongli was born in the suburbs of Chongqing in 1948. Influenced by his father, he began painting in his childhood. After graduating from the secondary school of Sichuan Fine Arts Institute in 1968, he voluntarily lived in the Bashi Mountains for ten years. In 1981, he graduated from the oil painting department of Sichuan Fine Arts Institute. In 1983, he traveled to Europe for study, and in 1998, he became the president of Sichuan Fine Arts Institute.
In 1980, Luo Zhongli, while studying at Sichuan Fine Arts Institute, gained fame with his hyper-realistic work Father. This monumental composition deeply portrayed the typical image of Chinese peasants, moving countless people. Luo Zhongli was hailed as a banner of Chinese painting in the 1980s. Since the early 1980s, Luo Zhongli has consistently upheld the rural stance in oil painting. His early monumental hyper-realistic work Father once represented the artistic ideals and progress of an era. His recent works continue to deeply focus on Chinese peasants. The thick, rustic brushstrokes, vibrant colors, and unique lighting effects all convey the artist's profound emotions and deep care for his native culture.