Ye Qianyu's Autobiography (Tracing the Passage of Time)

Author: Ye Qianyu
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-02-01
Features: This book is the memoir written by the renowned painter Ye Qianyu during his lifetime. On the occasion of his 80th birthday, Ye "put down his brush and picked up his pen" to reminisce about his life's creative journey and life experiences, from childhood dreams to establishing himself in Shanghai, from his activities during the Anti-Japanese War to his unjust imprisonment during the Cultural Revolution, from the teacher-student relationship to the ways of the world, and from marriage and love. It meticulously and faithfully records the painter's artistic career through storms, and also leaves behind authentic materials for the history of modern Chinese art. As the only work by Ye Qianyu, this book is a rare version among memoirs by famous artists. The book also includes numerous illustrations, all of which are masterpieces by Ye himself, as well as illustrations he created specifically for this book.
Ye Qianyu was an internationally renowned painter, art educator, and pioneer of modern Chinese comics. His long comic strips Mr. Wang and Little Chen and The Story of Paradise, as well as many of his fine traditional Chinese paintings, have represented modern Chinese art and served as an early source of humor and beauty for generations of readers. On the occasion of his 80th birthday, Ye "put down his brush and picked up his pen" to reminisce about his life's creative journey and life experiences, from childhood dreams to establishing himself in Shanghai, from his activities during the Anti-Japanese War to his unjust imprisonment during the Cultural Revolution, from the teacher-student relationship to the ways of the world, and from marriage and love. It meticulously and faithfully records the painter's artistic career through storms, as well as the complex lives of many famous artists, actors, and political figures around him, leaving behind authentic materials for the history of modern Chinese art and culture.
Although Ye was a painter, his writing style is unique and distinctive, full of charm and interest. He deeply understands the art of writing, blending the sharp and refined wit of a seasoned scholar with the gentle and profound emotions of a nostalgic reminiscence, as well as the wisdom of his later years. His prose is simple yet rich in flavor, with a subtle and unassuming brushstroke that embodies eight decades of memories in his writing. The simplicity, conciseness, and clarity of his words make readers unable to help but reflect on the graceful and upright demeanor of the departed, filled with admiration and lament.