Ten Chinese Oil Painters: Yang Feiyun

Author: Wang He
Publisher:
Publishing Date: Not available
Features: The introduction of European oil painting to China initially served as a new painting technique adopted and utilized by Chinese artists. However, after a century of exploration, oil painting has today become a language for Chinese artists to freely express their thoughts and emotions. Art knows no borders, and oil painting is a universally recognized category in the international art world. Yet, Chinese oil paintings created by Chinese artists carry unique connotations of Chinese culture. Through the "Chinese Oil Painting" landscape, one can see the history and rich content of social changes in Chinese society, as well as the prolific nature of Chinese oil painting and the diverse personalities of its artists. In a sense, Chinese oil painting is a rich visual cultural reader of contemporary Chinese art. Selecting works from ten outstanding Chinese oil painters for publication is a highly academically significant endeavor. These ten painters represent different periods in the mid-20th century, whether living in China or abroad. Through long-term exploration and accumulation, they have created distinctive artistic styles. Their works have had a significant impact on the art world and the public both domestically and internationally, and their artistic achievements have become representatives of China's exchanges with the world. The personal experiences and artistic orientations of these ten painters vary. In terms of themes, some focus on social phenomena, while others emphasize psychological expression. In terms of artistic form, some prioritize realistic depiction, while others lean toward abstract expression. However, their art shares a common cultural feature: based on the study of Western oil painting techniques, it integrates China's own cultural traditions, particularly the concept of harmony between nature and humanity in Chinese culture and the method of unifying the depiction of the external world with the expression of the inner world. This gives their works a unique Chinese cultural imprint. In today's context of economic globalization, the shared space for international art has expanded. These ten painters, in their respective unique artistic languages, embody the spirit of the times, humanity, nature, and trees, leaving an indelible mark on the history of contemporary art. The World Knowledge Publishing House has chosen these painters to promote the achievements of Chinese oil painting in international cultural exchanges. We believe that these artists' works, as representatives of Chinese art, will engage audiences from diverse cultural backgrounds in broader cultural spaces, thereby achieving the goals of connecting hearts and minds and enhancing cultural understanding.
Yang Feiyun was born in Inner Mongolia in 1954 and graduated from the Central Academy of Fine Arts in 1982. That same year, he began teaching at the Stage Design Department of the Central Academy of Drama. He is currently a professor in the Oil Painting Department of the Central Academy of Fine Arts and a member of the China Artists Association. His works include "Young Actor" (1985), which won a bronze medal at the "Third National Youth Fine Arts Exhibition," and "Northern Girl," which received an excellence award at Shanghai's "National Oil Painting Exhibition." He has participated in numerous national and international exhibitions, including solo exhibitions, and in 1989, his work "A Song That Awakens Memory" was selected for the "Seventh National Fine Arts Exhibition," winning a silver medal. His main publications include: "Myself and Classicist Painting" (essay), "Yang Feiyun Figure Oil Painting," "Yang Feiyun" (large-scale art book), "Famous Artists and Famous Paintings," "Yang Feiyun Sketch Collection," and "Yang Feiyun Landscape Painting Collection." Yang Feiyun is a prominent representative of the new classicism in contemporary Chinese painting. With a relatively pure and meticulous classical oil painting language, he presents the beauty he discovers in daily life. His passion for classical painting is not merely about delicate and rigorous patterns but also about the spirit of classical masters who regarded art as a sacred and noble pursuit. It is this spirit that gives his sketches stability and allows them to continuously incorporate his unique perceptions. —Liao Wen (Art Critic)
Yang Feiyun has long been renowned in the art world, and when discussing contemporary Chinese oil painting, his name is inevitably mentioned. He is considered a major figure in the contemporary oil painting scene, and his artistic insights and techniques have had a profound impact on the field of Chinese oil painting. His exceptional skills have earned him admiration from peers and attracted many followers. In terms of oil painting language, his proficiency and mastery are truly admirable. —Fan Di'an (Art Critic and Vice President of the Central Academy of Fine Arts)
Yang Feiyun possesses a strong ability to shape and advance his artistic expressions. He excels at fully unfolding, presenting, deepening, and enriching the basic melody of his works, much like a conductor leading an orchestra, and driving them to the climax of artistic expression. Yang Feiyun is, in fact, a painter with a strong emotional and spiritual presence. There is a deep, simmering emotional current within him. It is this inner emotion that gives his art genuine and abundant emotional and spiritual qualities. —Deng Pingshang (Art Critic)
Yang Feiyun's oil paintings embody all the essential elements of Western classical painting, such as rigorous shaping, delicate brushwork, smooth lines, and elegant colors. Due to his continuous pursuit and years of exploration in painting language, his skills have become increasingly refined, and his works' forms have grown increasingly perfect. —Wang Hongjian
From Yang Feiyun's creative achievements, one can see that he seeks an ideal beauty, which is the primary element of classical painting. This ideal beauty is not only about the form of the work but also about the artist's aesthetic concepts and ideals. Yang Feiyun's solid artistic foundation, his unwavering pursuit of beauty, his dedication to art, and his creative consciousness have determined that he will achieve great success, providing society with valuable spiritual nourishment—meeting people's needs and yearnings for beauty. —Wang Hongjian (Art Theorist and Vice President of the Central Academy of Fine Arts)