Chinese Oil Painting Ten: Yang Feiyun

Author: Wang He
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-12-01
Features: The introduction of European oil painting to China initially was merely a new painting technique adopted and utilized 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 scene. Yet, Chinese oil paintings created by Chinese artists carry unique cultural connotations of China. Through the "Chinese Oil Landscape," one can see the history and rich content of real-life in China's social changes, and more importantly, 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 reader of contemporary Chinese art. Selecting the works of ten outstanding Chinese oil painters for publication is a highly academically significant endeavor. These ten painters represent different periods in the mid-20th century, whether living in China or abroad, they have created distinctive artistic styles through long-term exploration and accumulation. Their works have had a significant impact on both the international art community and the general public, and their artistic achievements have become representatives of China's exchanges with the world. The personal experiences and artistic inclinations of these ten painters vary. In terms of themes, some focus on social phenomena, while others emphasize psychological expression. In terms of artistic form, some prioritize realistic depiction, while others lean toward abstract expression. However, their art shares a common cultural feature: based on the study of Western oil painting techniques, they have integrated China's own cultural traditions, especially the concept of harmony between nature and humanity in Chinese cultural traditions, as well as 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 context of economic globalization, the shared space for international art has expanded. The ten painters, in their respective 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 through international cultural exchanges. We believe that these artists' works, as representatives of Chinese art, will engage audiences from diverse cultural backgrounds in broader cultural spaces, thereby achieving the purpose of fostering emotional connection and cultural understanding.
Yang Feiyun was born in Inner Mongolia in 1954 and graduated from the Central Academy of Fine Arts in 1982. That same year, he began teaching at the Stage Design Department of the Central Academy of Drama. He is currently a professor in the Oil Painting Department of the Central Academy of Fine Arts and a member of the China Artists Association. His works include "Young Actor" (1985), which won a bronze medal at the "Third National Youth Fine Arts Exhibition," and "Northern Girl," which received an excellence award at Shanghai's "National Oil Painting Exhibition." He has participated in numerous national and international exhibitions, including solo exhibitions, and in 1989, his work "A Song to Awaken Memories" was selected for the "Seventh National Fine Arts Exhibition," winning a silver medal. His major publications include: "My Classicalism in Painting" (essay), "Yang Feiyun Figure Oil Painting," "Yang Feiyun" (large-scale art book), "Famous Artists and Famous Paintings," "Yang Feiyun Sketch Collection," and "Yang Feiyun Landscape Painting Collection." Yang Feiyun is a significant representative of the new classical style in contemporary Chinese painting. With a relatively pure and meticulous classical oil painting language, he presents the beauty he discovers in daily life. His enthusiasm for classical painting is not merely about delicate and rigorous patterns but rather the spirit of classical masters who regarded art as a sacred and noble pursuit. It is this spirit that makes his sketches stable and constantly infused with his unique perceptions. —Liao Wen (Art Critic)
Yang Feiyun has long been renowned in the art world, and his name is inevitably mentioned when discussing contemporary Chinese oil painting. He is considered a major figure in the contemporary oil painting scene, and his artistic insights and techniques have had a profound influence in the field of Chinese oil painting. His exquisite skills have earned admiration from peers and attracted many younger artists, shaping a significant impact. In terms of oil painting language, his proficiency and mastery are truly admirable. —Fan Di'an (Art Critic and Vice President of the Central Academy of Fine Arts)
Yang Feiyun possesses exceptional modeling and descriptive capabilities, skillfully unfolding the basic melody of his works like a conductor leading an orchestra. He delves deeply into his art, enriching it until it reaches the climax of artistic expression. Yang Feiyun is, in fact, a painter with strong emotional and spiritual elements. There is a profound emotional undercurrent within him, which infuses his art with genuine and abundant emotional depth and spiritual character. —Deng Pingshang (Art Critic)
Yang Feiyun's oil paintings embody all the essential elements of Western classical painting, such as rigorous modeling, delicate brushwork, smooth lines, and elegant colors. Through continuous pursuit and years of exploration, his techniques have grown increasingly refined, and his works have become increasingly perfect in form. —Wang Hongjian
From Yang Feiyun's creative achievements, one can discern that he seeks an ideal beauty, which is the primary factor in classical painting. This ideal beauty is not merely about the form of the work but also about the artist's aesthetic concepts and ideals. Yang Feiyun's solid artistic foundation, his unwavering pursuit of beauty, his dedication to art, and his creative consciousness have determined that he will achieve great success, providing society with valuable spiritual nourishment—meeting people's needs and yearnings for beauty. —Wang Hongjian (Art Theorist and Vice President of the Central Academy of Fine Arts)