Contemporary Chinese Art Collection -- Volume 2: Portraits

Author: Liu Dawei
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-02-01
Features: In the world of painting, Chinese figure painting is an independent system with a long history and unique value. It has experienced the brilliance of meticulous brushwork during the Sui and Tang dynasties, the heyday of ink wash painting during the Song dynasties, and the decline in the Ming and Qing dynasties. Over the long course of history, it gradually developed its own conventions. Since the reform and opening-up, Chinese figure painting has undergone fundamental changes since the founding of the country and has seen an unprecedented revival, forming a new landscape in the world of Chinese painting characterized by "meticulous and freehand painting working in harmony, and colorful and ink-wash interweaving." Artists have maintained the creative spirit of the 1950s and 1960s, which was close to life, embraced nature, and focused on the times. They have actively explored and made breakthroughs in subjective feelings, expressing inner worlds, perfecting artistic language and techniques, and developing individual artistic styles. As a result, they have opened up new areas in themes, artistic language, and tools and media, demonstrating a vibrant and diverse vitality.
In terms of the overall development of contemporary figure painting, whether in meticulous or freehand styles, realism remains the mainstream of figure painting creation. However, compared to the realism of the early years after the founding of the country, it has become more prominent in its expressive tendencies. This is reflected in the brushwork, which, after completing the interpretation of three-dimensional forms, enters a more free, diverse, and personalized context. A rising number of figure painters indicate that the future of Chinese figure painting is limitless. In the process of using the consciousness of modern Chinese people to select and promote tradition while absorbing Western painting and digesting it, they have steadily moved toward modernity. Their remarkable achievements not only far surpass those of their predecessors but are also more powerful and vigorous overall, demonstrating a vigorous vitality.
The Complete Collection of Contemporary Chinese Art: Volume on Figures is divided into two volumes and is arranged in chronological order by the birth years of the artists. It includes 661 works by 62 influential artists active in the contemporary art scene. From this collection, one can glimpse the highest level and overall style of contemporary figure painting, as well as fully understand the artistic characteristics and individual creativity of each artist. It holds significant academic value and contributes to the development of figure painting.