Research on Concrete Art. Exhibition Catalogue of Sixteen Contemporary Oil Paintings from Guangdong

Author: Cai Pengcheng, Editor-in-Chief
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2007-06-11
Features: The term "" (concrete or figurative) cannot be found in the best-selling Chinese dictionary Modern Chinese Dictionary, nor in its 2002 supplement for new words and meanings. However, since at least the 1980s, this term has frequently appeared in research on () and art criticism, such as "" (figurative art), "" (figurative techniques), "" (figurative expression), "" (between abstraction and figuration), and "" (new figuration), among others. This is undoubtedly related to the introduction and adoption of Western modern art during the 1980s new wave of art. From its usage, the term "" is often used in contrast to "" (abstraction), meaning "concrete images," specifically referring to tangible objects found in real life or nature. "" would then refer to art that takes these tangible objects as its theme or subject. The subtlety lies in the popularity of the term "" within the field of (). To a significant extent, this is linked to artists' avoidance and detachment from traditional realist art, which is based on the theory of mimesis (). On the other hand, the unwillingness of " artists" (for the sake of argument, let's coin this term) to abandon the depiction of concrete objects also demonstrates their adherence to tradition to a certain extent, as well as their firm stance in upholding the ancient practice of painting in today's era of diverse art forms, new media, and postmodern thought. Indeed, in this age of an overflow of various false and trendy images and sensational concepts, maintaining the ancient practice of painting requires immense courage, confidence, and strength. As some critics have noted, contemporary painting has transformed itself into a collection of hybrid media, incorporating both organic and synthetic materials. It sometimes introduces photography and digital printing. It draws inspiration from commercial illustration, as well as from the design of architecture, tattoos, and textiles. It can take the form of sculpture or a combination of all the aforementioned media, leading people to ask: what is it that makes painting what it is? This exhibition, titled "Research on Figuration," may be precisely offering an answer to this question through the individual depiction methods of the participating artists.