Selected Works of Cheng Shifa

Author: Shanghai Fine Arts Publishing House
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-11-01
Features: Cheng Shifu, renowned for his comic strips, leaves a deep impression, is highly popular, and currently commands the highest market price for his freehand figure paintings. The so-called "Cheng Style" refers specifically to this type of painting art. In his youth, he devoted himself extensively to comic strips, practicing diligently, while painting freehand figure paintings was merely an amateur pastime. He created both conventional comic strips and ink-wash freehand paintings, blending and integrating both. He once called painting comic strips "tying small feet." Cheng Shifu was an exceptionally clever painter. He knew that confining himself to "tying small feet" in seclusion was not feasible; the result would be that he wouldn’t even be able to walk. He had to become a "big-footed woman" to move freely and confidently. It was the combination of "small feet" and "big feet" that brought a breath of spring to figure painting.
A classically trained landscape painter, Cheng Shifu’s artistic blood flowed from the veins of literati painting. From his early landscapes and flower-and-bird paintings, one could see the subtlety of literati painting. Engaging in comic strip creation, with its popular, playful, and clear characteristics, quickly led him to realize the need to draw inspiration from folk art. Literati painting, in contrast to folk art, is antagonistic—the flourishing of literati painting often renders folk art obsolete. Cheng Shifu sought treasures in the neglected realm of folk art. He combined ancient brushwork with modern techniques, blending folk colors with minority themes. His use of bold, vibrant colors—bright reds and greens—was exquisite yet unrefined. Through small details, decorations, and actions, he conveyed the personalities and moods of his subjects. To appreciate Cheng Shifu’s art, one must savor the "artistry" within it. Without recognizing that "artistry," one might say they haven’t truly grasped the "Cheng Style."