Rongbaozhai Painting Spectrum 171 -- Landscape Section

Author: Wei Zixi
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-11-01
Features: Landscape painting is a Chinese painting category that has been gradually developed over a long period in the cultural and artistic life of the Chinese nation. In the garden of Chinese painting, it is a unique and diverse flower with rich techniques, and has been loved by people since ancient times. Wei Zixi (1915–2002) was a native of Suiping County, Henan Province. He graduated from Henan Art Normal School in 1934. In his early years, he followed the "Four Wangs," studied under Qingxiang, Meiqing, and the Xinan schools, admired the style of the Southern Song Dynasty masters Ma and Xia, and was also influenced by the art style of Japan at the time. From 1934 to 1947, he taught and created paintings, holding numerous solo exhibitions in various places in Hubei and Henan. In 1946, when he held a solo exhibition in Kaifeng, Henan People's Daily published a special edition to review his work. After viewing the exhibition, the painter Xie Ruiji exclaimed, "The progress is astonishing." At that time, Fu Hengshu, the art group leader of Henan Cultural Association, said, "Wei Zixi's landscape paintings can rival those of Zhang Daqian." In August 1947, he was appointed as a lecturer at Henan University, and in September, he met Mr. Zhao Wangyun, exchanging skills and benefiting greatly from his teachings. In October 1948, he served as a teacher at Xuchang Normal School in Lanxi, Zhejiang. In September 1948, he met Mr. Zhao Wangyun again, exchanging skills and benefiting greatly from his teachings. From 1951 to 1952, he served as the Deputy Director of Nanjing Art Workshop. At the same time, a large number of his works were published and exhibited. In 1957, he traveled with more than ten others, including Fu Baoshi and Ya Ming, to write and sketch in seven provinces in the northwest and southwest, covering a distance of over 23,000 li. Later, he held an observation exhibition in Beijing, which was hailed as the "New Landscape of the Mountains and Rivers," causing a sensation both at home and abroad. He served as the Office Director of Jiangsu Provincial Institute and an Associate Artist. He participated in the Jiangsu Provincial Cultural and Educational Hero Conference and was recognized as a provincial labor model. In September and October 1977, he traveled with Ya Ming to Hunan to write and sketch, participating in the "Morning Light in the Land of" exhibition. He painted a large-scale national painting "Huangyangjie" for the Chairman Mao Memorial Hall. He was elected as a representative of the Jiangsu Provincial People's Congress and served for three consecutive terms (fifth, sixth, and seventh). In August and September 1978, he led Jiangsu painters to teach and sketch in the three provinces in the northeast. In December, he traveled with Ya Ming and Lin Tong as part of a Chinese art delegation to Pakistan for a visit, painting and sketching. In 1979, he was elected as a representative of the Fourth National Cultural Conference and was chosen as a council member of the All-China Fine Arts Association during the conference. In 1980, he was appointed as an Honorary President of Xuzhou Art Institute. In April, he traveled with the Jiangsu Provincial Institute's calligrapher and painter delegation to Japan for a visit, painting, sketching, and exhibiting. He was elected as a standing council member of the Jiangsu Fine Arts Association. In 1982, he joined the Communist Party of China. In 1985, he was elected as a representative to attend the Fourth National Fine Arts Conference. In 1987, he was elected as a representative to the Fifth National Cultural Congress and was recognized as an outstanding Communist Party member. In 1988, he was elected as a Jiangsu Provincial labor model and was promoted to a first-class art master in the same year. In 1989, he was elected as a national advanced worker. In 1991, he received a lifelong subsidy from the State Council for his special contributions as an artist. Over his six decades of artistic career, he held more than ten solo exhibitions, with a large number of his works, articles, and awards being published and collected by major art galleries, museums, and art institutions both at home and abroad. Additionally, works such as "Wei Zixi Painting Collection," "Wei Zixi Painting Album," "Wei Zixi Landscape Painting Spectrum," and "Wei Zixi Landscape Painting Techniques" have been released.