Actually, the “spatial illusion” of realism painting makes no difference when compared with the “passionate stroke” of the Expressionism and “material texture” of the Abstract. Like the brush and ink in Chinese painting, each is an artistic expression. Different languages or expressions do not compete with each other rather there are problems of quality and appropriate application. Through serious research on contemporary realistic paintings, we find that there are still quite a number of young artists who adhere to the techniques and expressions of realism paintings, however, changes have undergone quietly in their works not only in the direction of traditional realism painting. Though they maintain a realistic image in their paintings, they are already on their way to converting to symbolism and surrealism, which is so-called a “new current” that deserves our attention.
It is said that Chinese contemporary realism painting is endowed with some unique “Chinese implications”, this “Chinese style” in contemporary realism painting comes from the reflection of a new generation of young artists on Chinese history as well as their observation on life. This exhibition is “focusing” on their reflective comparison with reference to Western cultures.
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“The variety of realistic ideas and forms of language manifested in this group of young artists depict a keen interest in the objective expression of the truth and their own feelings of oil painting, which also indicates their sincere wish to develop and explore this field. It’s a new variant of realism painting since it changes the category of realism concept but does not separate it from its essence. They intend to realize their pursuit of the personalization, diversification and characteristics of the times in realism painting,” as commented on by Shao Dazhen, the academic advisor of “Focusing”, art historian and professor of the Central Academy of Fine Arts.
Entitled "Focusing: A New Current of Realism Painting in China", it features the latest works from 16 young realism artists. Along with the exhibition, a special catalog concentrates on essays by a number of scholars home and abroad on this academic subject which brings in-depth thinking to the audience. After it’s exhibition at the Today Art Museum, Beijing from July 21 through to July 29th, it will tour to Shanghai Duolun Museum of Modern Art from August 18th through to August 25th and Guangdong Art Museum in 2013.
About the exhibition
Venue and Duration:
Today Art Museum, July 21-29, 2012
Shanghai Duolun Museum of Modern Art, August 18-25, 202
Guangdong Museum of Art, 2013
Organizers: Today Art Museum, Shanghai Duolun Museum of Modern Art, Guangdong Museum of Art
Contractor: Yongjin Art Sapce
Academic Director: Yin Shuangxi, Professor of Central Academy of Fine Arts and Deputy Editor of Magazine Art Research
Curators:
Beijing: Li Xiaoqian, Executive Dean of Today Art Museum of Contemporary Art Research Institute
Shanghai: Zhang Gan, Associate Dean of Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University
Guangdong: Luo Yiping, Director of Guangdong Museum of Art
Artists: Cai Jie, Chen Ying, Dai Pingjun, Lai Yuan, Li Zhuo, Li Wentao, Liang Haopeng, Liu Xiangdong, Mo Han, Ma Jinghu, Wang Xiaobo, Wang Longjun, Xue Guangchen, Zhao Xinhyu, Zhou Lixuan and Zhou Song.
Courtesy of the artists.
