Anna Zhao

    anna.whizh@yahoo.com

    EIGHTY fine brushwork paintings, also known as meticulous paintings, by 64 young Chinese artists are on exhibition at Guan Shanyue Art Museum through June 4.

    The exhibits, chosen from outstanding works of contemporary artists, showcase the latest developments within the genre of elaborate traditional Chinese paintings. The artists display diversified expressions by integrating different painting skills in the tradition of both Oriental and Occidental paintings.

    Placed in a conspicuous position in the museum’s central hall is a painting entitled “Me in Your Eyes” by Li Na. By mixing mica and crag color into the pigment, the painting exhibits a glittering texture similar to a European oil painting. Meanwhile, objects and animals in the painting are brought to life with elaborate strokes. For example, the dog’s hair possesses a silky vividness.

    While carrying a strong heritage of fine brushwork tradition, the artists have developed their own individual styles in their unique delineation of the genre.

    Some paintings of human figures come to life with a mature use of lines. For example, the tough lives of two Tibetans are fleshed out in a painting entitled “Impression in Ice and Snow” through painter Yu Li’s delicate strokes.

    To the left of the central hall, a painting entitled “the Historical Records: Banquet at Hongmen” by Wei Jiujie gives an amusing depiction of vengeance in a reverie with cartoonish storytelling. The author adopted the painting style from traditional fresco paintings.

    “Most of the artists are at a very early point in their artistic careers, and they have received an artistic education that integrates both Chinese and Western styles. Compared with their predecessors, these artists grew up in a more open and inclusive environment, which also makes it possible for them to break away from traditional meticulous paintings,” said the museum’s curator Chen Xiangbo.

    Meticulous paintings currently take up 50 to 60 percent of the country’s art exhibitions, a share that has been continually on the rise. Chen attributes this to the rich expressions the genre accommodates. “Meticulous paintings have great possibilities. They can be very traditional as well as modernistic by borrowing various elements,” he explained. “Modern meticulous paintings are more concerned with the social environment and people’s lives since contemporary artists live in a society that is undergoing a transformation.”

    Chen said there is a very good creative atmosphere for young artists in China, but their works are not highly sought after for exhibitions. There is a lack of attention on young artists at present.

    He said Shenzhen’s art market remains weak, and government support of public art is very limited.

    “As one of the few public art museums in Shenzhen, Guan Shanyue Art Museum is trying to take advantage of social resources to bring more exhibitions with good quality,” he said.

    The exhibition is a joint effort between the museum and 318art.cn, hopefully to mutual benefit. “We’re exploring cooperation with social organizations to cultivate a complete art industry chain, from creation, exhibition, and academic research to market sales,” Chen said. “Shenzhen constantly pursues innovation, and that is also what is preached about art creation. The city boasts a good environment for fostering creative art,” Chen said.

    Dates: Until June 4

    Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (closed Mondays)

    Venue: Guan Shanyue Art Museum, 6026 Hongli Road, Futian District (福田区红荔路6026号关山月美术馆)

    Metro: Longhua or Longgang Line, Children’s Palace Station (少年宫站), Exit B