Art ain’t what it used to be

During the past couple of decades, contemporary Chinese art has developed at a rapid pace, with many artists being exhibited at either solo or group shows both here and abroad. And now 18 of the most well-established names will be showing some of their signature works at Taste of the East: Masterpieces of Chinese Art being held at the Shanghai Art Museum.

The works are all part of a collection that will ultimately be exhibited at the soon-to-be-opened How Art Museum in Zhangjiang, Pudong New Area. The artworks span some 30 years and include oil paintings, ink paintings, sculptures and installations from influential Chinese artists such as Wu Guanzhong, Zao Wou-Ki (Zhao Wuji), Chen Yifei, Zhang Xiaogang, Zeng Fanzhi and Zhang Huan.

Feelings of nostalgia

An introduction to the exhibition explains: "They all explore diversified ways of representing Chinese tradition while expressing feelings of nostalgia in either realistic or abstract styles. They represent their thoughts and feelings about the Chinese traditional value system. Moreover, the internal nature of these artworks reflect the artists' profound knowledge and strong pride in Chinese tradition and culture."

The show aims to discuss topics including "national self-determination via oil painting," "modernization of traditional ink painting," "internationalization of Chinese art" and the "Chinese nature of contemporary art" among other subjects.

Among these Chinese contemporary artists - who live both in China and abroad, many have been inspired by Western influence which has helped them to create their own signature style in time. A number of these artists now have worldwide reputations and are big players in the art trading market.

Zao Wou-Ki is a Chinese-born, French-based painter who is considered one of the greatest Chinese artists of his generation. Influenced by Western masters such as Picasso and Matisse, his early works mainly dealt in landscapes and portraiture, while his later works gravitated towards more abstract themes. Each of his paintings is named with the date on which it was completed. On show is a painting entitled 5.09.95 (1995) which is typical of his lyrical, abstract style.

At the end of the exhibition hall is a huge portrait of a Chinese boy whose large, round, dark-pupiled eyes grab the viewer's attention. This is a piece by the symbolist and surrealist painter Zhang Xiaogang. Last year, a 1988 triptych oil painting by Zhang was sold for a record auction price for a Chinese painter. Famous for his Bloodline series inspired by the kind of family portraits that were typical of 1950s and 1960s China, his works feature monochrome colors and formal poses.

Wu Guanzhong (1919-2010) was considered was highly regarded in the art world during his lifetime. He received an art education both in China and France, and was the subject of many exhibitions around the world. He is often credited with modernizing Chinese painting and his Guilin Scenery (1987) depicts a beautiful, natural landscape.

Chen Yifei (1946-2005) - oil painter, visual artist and film director - shot to fame with his work Twin Bridge (1996) and he is renowned among Westerners for his oil paintings depicting Chinese subject matters, particularly melancholic-looking women in traditional dress. Twin Bridge and Blue Hometown (1994), are on display as well as a number of women-themed paintings such as Drunken Beauty (1995) and Beauty Holding a Yellow Fan (1998).