Anna Zhao

    anna.whizh@yahoo.com

    ABOUT 100 sketch paintings by artist Guo Bing’an are on exhibition at the Guan Shanyue Art Museum in Futian District through Sept. 6.

    The sketches capture old scenes of places Guo has traveled to in China and abroad, in particular Shenzhen where Guo spent his career leading the local art museums.

    The sketches about Shenzhen, many of which are some of the earliest depictions, carry the precious memories of a generation of people who have contributed to the city’s transformation into an urban metropolis.

    Guo, who moved to work in Bao’an County (the original name of Shenzhen) in 1969, witnessed sweeping changes happen to the city and recorded them through his artwork.

    For example, the first container truck entering Shenzhen through Wenjindu Checkpoint in Luohu District, the dredging of the Shenzhen River, the old Dongmen shopping street where the first McDonald’s in China opened, the Minghua Cruise Ship moored in Sea World in Shekou in 1985, train stations in the 1970s, the International Trade Center Building erected in Luohu and more.

    Guo said the spectacular scenes of a place he visited often inspired him to do sketches, either because of the distinctive architecture, a group of interesting people or because of the natural scenes such as the bamboo tower in Xixuangbanna, Yunan Province, the antique house of ethnic minority people in Xiangxi, Hunan Province and the water towns in eastern China.

    Chen Xidan, a master of watercolor painting, said Guo’s paintings excel in the successful integration of both Western painting and traditional Chinese painting skills. “His use of colors was Westernized but he retained the essence of Chinese freehand paintings. His portrayal of nature and people carried a rhythm just like poetry,” Chen said.

    Chen Xiangbo, curator of the Guan Shanyue Art Museum, said Guo showed deep passion for life as seen in his paintings.

    The exhibition’s curator Chen Ping said Guo’s works are an important component of Shenzhen’s cultural history as the city is striving to establish itself culturally.

    Dates: Until Sept. 6

    Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

    Add: 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