Central Academy of Fine Arts Printmaking Department Alumni Works Selection 1958-2002

Author: Department of Printmaking, Central Academy of Fine Arts
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2001-09-01
Features: With the passage of time, since the Department of Printmaking at the Central Academy of Fine Arts resumed entrance exams and admissions in 1978, teaching has gradually stabilized, marking 23 years of development. A complete review of the printmaking works of alumni from each graduating class is like using a guiding thread to help us recall the journey of Chinese printmaking over the years, and serves as an opportunity to summarize the successes and shortcomings of modern printmaking education in China. In the 1990s, modern consciousness in printmaking creation was further strengthened, challenging existing concepts. The emphasis on "multiplicity" and "impressions" as aesthetic values in printing was enhanced. From the mid-to-late 1990s, the forms of printmaking creation became more diverse, with attention paid to the purification of the artistic language of printmaking. The Central Academy of Fine Arts took a solid step in advancing the exploration of the intrinsic language of printmaking and its diversification. The works of undergraduate and graduate students in the printmaking major in the past five years demonstrate remarkable vitality. Their works combine spontaneity and chance, feature symbolic imagery, exhibit a sense of dissonance and imbalance between intensity and simplicity, and pursue the unique qualities and craftsmanship of printmaking materials. They begin to explore the direction of materials and refined techniques, intentionally or unintentionally distancing themselves from the aesthetic tastes and appreciability of the masses. The works of this period reflect a rebellion against the traditional emphasis on the spiritual essence of printmaking, while a significant number of students express rational reflections on contemporary cultural and social transformations through their creations.