Cao Zhen

caozhen0806@126.com

ACCLAIMED as an “artisan,” esteemed Chinese artist and researcher, Prof. Pan Lusheng, is exhibiting his contemporary artworks, designs and 40 years of field research on traditional Chinese folk art at an exhibition titled “Into the Field: Exhibition of Pan Lusheng” at the Shenzhen Museum of Contemporary Art and Urban Planning (MoCAUP). Entry is free.

The exhibition encompasses paintings on silk, ceramic, canvas and lacquer, fiber embroidery works and ceramics that embody Pan’s adeptness in utilizing diverse materials for artistic creation. In these works, vibrant colors interplay alongside abstract patterns, interweaving with striking Chinese folk art motifs, to breathe new life into age-old traditions, imparting a fresh and modern perspective. Drawn from Pan’s extensive 40 years of field studies across various Chinese villages and cities, the contemporary artworks and product designs serve as a vibrant testament to the innovative progression of traditional Chinese culture.

Pan believes that all forms of art emanate from life and should ultimately be integrated back into it. The dazzling contemporary works, created through interdisciplinary methods, and the novel product designs on display at the exhibition, convey the notion that traditional Chinese folk art in myriad styles can still invigorate our modern lives.

“Pan’s outstanding works offer an enlightening perspective on innovating traditional art. It is only through an artist or researcher’s immersion in fieldwork, coupled with a deep passion for people and life, that their artistic or academic output brims with vitality,” said renowned cultural scholar Feng Jicai.

“For more than 40 years, Pan has engaged himself in field studies of Chinese folk art, documenting and amassing a treasure trove of exemplary Chinese artifacts, researching on their enduring cultural essence, and creating numerous contemporary artworks on fiber, ceramics and other materials,” said Yan Weixin, director of MoCAUP and curator of the exhibition. “With this exhibition, we aim to introduce viewers to new perspectives on folk art and field studies, emphasizing their impact on contemporary art, thereby elevating public appreciation for the modern value of traditional folk art,” he added.

The exhibition also presents Pan’s publications on Chinese villages, crafts, folk art, and fine art theories. Additionally, it features traditional embroidery, carvings, paper-cuttings and shadow plays collected by Pan from diverse regions across the country. Modern garments, daily products, and cultural and creative items that are designed based on Pan’s artworks are also showcased, illustrating the intimate connection between tradition, modernity and life.

The exhibition serves as a continuation of the “Among the People: Folk Art Exhibition of Pan Lusheng” exhibition held in 2022 at the National Museum of China. Seminars centered on Pan’s art, design and field studies are scheduled to be conducted during the exhibition period.

Dates: Until Feb. 25

Reservations: WeChat account “深圳市当代艺术与城市规划馆”

Venue: Shenzhen Museum of Contemporary Art and Urban Planning, Futian District (深圳市当代艺术与城市规划馆)

Metro: Line 3 or 4 to Children’s Palace Station (少年宫站), Exit A2