China Galleries -- Issue 5

Author: Jia Dejiang, Editor-in-Chief
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-06-01
Features: Reading the works of the artists promoted in this issue of China Galleries, it is evident that they have shifted from concerns about Chinese painting under the influence of cultural trends and conceptual impacts, to a high praise of traditional cultural spirit and national painting. The utilization of traditional painting language has also moved from a one-sided "literati painting" perspective to a comprehensive observation of the spirit of traditional painting. Their worldly sentiments and vibrant contemporary experiences have made their research on tradition no longer limited to adhering to traditional painting rules or imitating the styles of predecessors, but rather to understanding traditional ways of thinking and seeking connections between traditional rules and contemporary experiences through genuine insights into nature and life, thereby enhancing the modern form of Chinese painting. Their artistic practice tells us: most of the explorations in rebuilding the modern form of Chinese painting have focused on the renewal, expansion, and refinement of brush-and-ink language. Here, "renewal" does not mean abandoning tradition, but rather building upon it; "innovation" does not mean a complete absorption of foreign styles, but rather observing tradition through modern consciousness, broadening horizons, embracing both ancient and modern, and integrating Eastern and Western influences, reflecting the multi-faceted academic pursuits of these artists.