A Review of Artistic Achievement in Zhejiang in New Era

By Qi Yongye, Our Special Reporter

The 12th Zhejiang Exhibition of Fine Arts was unveiled on September 30, 2009 in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Peoples Republic of China. 2,163 artworks in a full range of genres were on display. Experts and ordinary visitors agreed that the exhibition truly mirrored the aesthetics of Zhejiang and showcased the flourishing creativity of local artists.

On October 10, “60 Years of Calligraphy in Zhejiang” opened its door to the public. The exhibition consisted of four parts. The first part displayed the calligraphic works of more than 100 masters who lived in Zhejiang after 1949 and are now dead. The second part exhibited 141 masterpieces of 46 celebrated calligraphers active today in Zhejiang. The third part displayed the latest calligraphic works of 493 artists selected from nearly 3,000 members of Zhejiang Calligraphers Association. The fourth part flaunted 217 pieces of enthusiasts.

The two events epitomized the accomplishment of artists of Zhejiang. The province has produced a galaxy of master painters and calligraphers over a millennium. The greats of Zhejiang are a key part of the art history of China.

Experts examined the exhibits at the two exhibitions from a more artistic and historical angle.

Xu Jiang, president of the China Academy of Art, spoke highly of the exhibition of calligraphy. He observed that the quantity, the quality, and the styles constituted an overall picture of calligraphers in the province and pointed to future. He stated, “These artworks stand for China. What reveals in front of us is more than penmanship. It is the heart of culture, the energy of culture, and the essence of masters.”

Zhao Ruixin, a postgraduate with the China Academy of Art, said each masterpiece was worth 1,000 words and worth copying. He went on to say that all the artworks, despite different eras and aesthetics, combined to show a tradition that has been alive all these centuries and will be flourishing in the future.

If master calligraphers showed their profound knowledge and expressions, painters created images more easily understandable to the audience. The visitors applauded the friendly gestures of the painters and the themes of everyday life.

Hua Jun, a PhD student with the China Academy of Art, painted “Hand in Hand”, an oil painting that depicts PLA soldiers combating typhoon-induced floods. He wished to express a range of grand ideas and thought about the stereotypes of hero images. But he decided to simplify for the fear that too many ideas would be confusing. The soldiers in the large painting look ordinary; some even look ugly. In the painting, the soldiers help people vacate to safe lands. This simplified creation touched the heart of many visitors, not because it is a super-sized oil painting, but because the visitors of Zhejiang, a province easily subjected to typhoon disasters in the summer, easily know what the painting says.

“Home Banquet”, a gold award winner, chooses a unique angle to portray a moderately prosperous life. The centerpiece of the painting is a wine glass. The luminous glass mirrors a family enjoying a get-together dinner. An old man commented on the painting: “We are sick of the guys upholding huge banners or fireworks popular in the past 60 years. The everyday life we lead today truly reflects the success of the 60 years of the peoples republic.”

Artists of Zhejiang have made contributions to making culture flourish in the province, adding to the provinces overall strength and software. The first Zhejiang Culture and Art Festival celebrated the achievement of painters and calligraphers in Zhejiang.□