BEIJING, July 17 -- Cutting-edge ink-wash
paintings take the ancient art to new levels, and even oil painters, printers
and sculptors put brush to rice paper in a refreshing show. Wang Jie picks up
her brush.
Contemporary ink-wash paintings by 58 artists are
exhibited at Mingyuan Art Center which aims to become a heavyweight dealer,
commonly known as an "art crocodile."
The exhibit of very different works running through
August 5 displays the best of innovative ink-wash works building on ancient
traditions.
In October the center will present "Open Expression
2009 - Shanghai Young Artists."
"This show features ink-wash artists whose style and
technique contrast with each other," says Lin Feifei, director of Mingyuan Art
Center. "With different approaches, concepts and forms, these artists together
present the real local art scene of contemporary ink-wash paintings."
For example, Zhang Guiming's nudes and Zhang
Peicheng's disassembled human bodies explore possibilities of modernity and
exaggeration.
The movement to revitalize and modernize ink-wash
painting goes back to the early 19th century when many people believed that
traditional painting had already reached its zenith and could not be improved
upon.
"The same tough question of creativity and innovation
confronts today's young ink-wash painters," says Yang Zhenxin, a veteran local
artist and curator of the show.
"Sometimes ancient masterpieces and tradition can be
either a springboard and profound inspiration or a set of shackles," Yang says.
"In my view, totally abandoning ink and shade on rice
paper is wrong, as that's the core of traditional ink-wash painting," he says.
"I am glad some young artists retain some tradition, fused with modern taste,
abstractism or realism."
To explore the possibilities of ink-wash painting,
the curator has invited several oil painters, print artists and sculptors to
take up brush and ink in this exhibition.
"We want to open the possibilities of the ancient art
form to more people," Lin says.
(Source: Shanghai Daily)
