BEIJING, April 9 -- Critics might say "not another realism," but a couple of artistic rebels say it's time Chinese art rediscover its roots. They are pushing a new style and the only thing soft about it is the name.
Realism is ubiquitous in Chinese art - political realism, fantastic realism, post-realism, cynical realism. So when the latest "soft realism" style was unveiled by two very different Guangzhou artists, some critics wearily sighed: "Again? Another realism?"
"No man likes to be called 'soft,' but we don't mind," says 33-year-old Luo Qi, one of the two representatives of the new style. "Although the word is usually associated with weakness or femininity, I think it stands for a kind of attitude."
Such an attitude is his refusal to compromise when confronting might and power in the art community. Luo and his 37-year-old peer Zhao Zhengrong have banded together for this rise in new style, both on canvas and in spirit.
Luo's paintings depict ordinary people going about their daily lives. They are the so-called "small potatoes" in society, often ignored by the "elite culture," he says.
"Unlike some Chinese contemporary artists who ruthlessly and violently reveal suffering in their artworks, I am not willing to reveal my innermost pain to the public," Luo explains. "I try to control my emotions in order not to affect the mood of others."
In a way, Luo attempts to soften his pain through the characters under his brush. He purposely chooses light hues and simple brushstrokes to create a situation where subjects appear indifferent to their surroundings.
"You can say my paintings are not aesthetically pleasing. But that's my purpose. I don't want to give any pleasure or peace of mind to my viewers," Luo says.
Zhao shares the same philosophy as Luo, but goes even further. His work is much harder to decipher. Often there is not a single identifiable subject on his canvas, although sometimes there are traces of Chinese calligraphy, ink-wash painting or even reference to the light and shade of Western style.
In short, his paintings can appear abrasive to the eye, even unattractive. "The world I paint is not one of sunshine and air," Zhao says. "If everything could be judged by good or bad, then life would be simple. But the world I know is filled with tension and disturbance.
"There is no aggressive expression on the surface of my artworks, but they unwittingly and subtly reveal the pain and tension in my heart," he adds.
Now Zhao and Luo are both teaching at Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts, living in the dormitory on campus as neighbors.
"You can call us 'alternative.' We don't want to be categorized as mainstream," Luo says. "I especially don't like the air of current contemporary art. There is hardly any originality except repetition of modern styles from the West."
He says artists are often "forced to take a back seat leaving curators to have the final say." What Luo and Zhao point out is a matter of hot debate in the contemporary art scene - that art has become a commodity that is promoted by artists, curators, critics and collectors.
These advocates of soft realism believe their artworks are more inspired by Oriental culture than the worship of modern Western art.
In their eyes there are too many political pop and cartoon style in China and the attitude towards art is too extreme.
"I am quite excited to see what they 'defend' in their paintings," says Tan Tian, professor and critic at Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts. "They are serious thinkers with sincere hearts. The power of the two might seem trivial in art circles, yet it is time for us to rethink how Chinese contemporary art should move forward."
Zhao says they will not compromise or criticize, but their attitude means isolation from the mainstream art community.
Luo says their task, especially in the beginning, was tough as very few people really understood their idea. "But we believe in the future of soft realism and that's why we will stick to it. Perhaps it will take another five or even 10 years to fully develop our academic goal. But we have confidence and patience."
The pair say they will have a touring exhibition of soft realism in Beijing, Guangzhou and Shanghai next year, hopefully with a number of other artists who have embraced the style.
(Source: Shanghai Daily)
