Contemporary Chinese Art Collection -- Landscape Volume 2

Author: Long Rui
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-02-01
Features: Although the modern prospects of Chinese landscape painting are still being explored, it is certain that the transformation of this traditional genre from classical to modern form has become inevitable. It no longer serves the aesthetic needs of the highest echelons of the feudal society as it did in ancient times, but instead takes the life experiences and spiritual life of modern Chinese people as its guiding principle, emphasizing the harmony between humans and nature, striving to awaken people's love for nature, and fulfilling their lyrical and recreational needs. In the nearly 30 years since the reform and opening-up, contemporary Chinese landscape painting has continued to develop on the significant achievements made since the founding of the country, undergoing revitalization through constant exploration and innovation. It is based on the liberation of thought and aims to carry forward the past and open up the future. It consciously reflects on ancient and modern traditions, deeply recognizes the practical significance of "penetrating into" and "breaking out of" tradition with great effort, boldly experiments with artistic forms, absorbs from Western modern painting, seeks roots in forgotten ancient traditions, turns to nature, and shapes and elevates self-style to meet the spiritual needs of people in the new era of a market economy. As a result, contemporary landscape painting has formed a new situation of multi-angle and multi-level exploration, developing in a diversified framework and achieving remarkable success. Overall, contemporary landscape painting is more creative, diverse in style, rich in content, and boasts more outstanding painters and works than any other period in history. Their practices tell us that the various experiments in the inheritance, transformation, and continuation of traditional brushwork and the establishment of new systems are all manifestations of individual differentiation in the pursuit of a combination of tradition and modernity. They reflect both the common concern for the cultural standards of landscape painting and the essence of Chinese painting, as well as the trend of contemporary landscape painting evolving toward a modern sensibility. The Complete Collection of Contemporary Chinese Art: Landscape Volume is divided into two volumes and is organized in chronological order by the birth years of the painters. It includes 658 works by 62 influential painters active in the contemporary art scene. From this collection, one can glimpse the highest level and overall style of contemporary landscape painting, as well as fully understand the artistic characteristics and individual creativity of each painter. It holds academic significance and promotes the development of landscape painting.