Taste of the East: Masterpieces of Chinese Art opened at Shanghai Art Museum

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TEXT：Sue Wang DATE： 2012.2.29

Zao Wou-ki-5.09.95(Series works with no series), 1995

Zao Wou-ki-5.09.95(Series works with no series), 1995; painting, Oil on canvas, 1000x1620mm

Taste of the East: Masterpieces of Chinese Art opened on February 26 at Shanghai Art Museum. This exhibition presents a selection of works from the collection of the HOW ART MUSEUM (opening soon). The concept of this exhibition is to show the aestheticism in modern and contemporary Chinese art as well as to present the pieces of art made by contemporary Chinese artists in China and abroad. Located in Shanghai Zhangjiang/ Pudong District, HOW ART MUSEUM is supposed to be a vital cultural centre with a collection of masterpieces of contemporary Chinese art, special exhibitions and educational programs. The mission of HOW ART MUSEUM is to create a base for international communication in the contemporary art sphere via the exhibitions and art projects, interactions between local and foreign artists, art institutions in China and all over the world. In the context of globalization HOW ART MUSEUM also seeks to contribute to Chinese contemporary art.

Poster of Taste of the East Masterpieces of Chinese Art

Chu Teh Chun-Untitled(Series works with no series), 1995

Chu Teh Chun-Untitled(Series works with no series), 1995; painting, Oil on canvas, 1950x1300mm

Zhan Wang-Furniture with Landscape(Series works with no series), 1998

Zhan Wang-Furniture with Landscape(Series works with no series), 1998; installation, Stainless steel, stone, furniture set

Liu Xiaodong-Blue Peach(Series works with no series), 2011

Liu Xiaodong-Blue Peach(Series works with no series), 2011; painting, Oil on canvas, 2820x2820mm

Zhou Chunya-Peach Blossom in the South(Series works with no series), 2007

Zhou Chunya-Peach Blossom in the South(Series works with no series), 2007; painting, Oil on canvas, 2000x2500mm

The goal of the exhibition “Taste of the East” is to set up the value system and to encourage an ever-deeper understanding of Chinese contemporary art. The exhibited artworks have vivid meanings and connotations, such as national self-determination via oil painting, the modernization of traditional ink painting, the internationalization of Chinese art and the Chinese nature of contemporary art. The exhibition shows about 20 contemporary artists of different ages working with different media such as oil painting, drafting ink, sculpture and installation. They show diversified ways of returning to a Chinese tradition; by expressing the feeling of nostalgia in realistic or abstract styles; or by representing their thoughts and feelings about the Chinese traditional value system. Moreover the internal nature of these artworks reflects the artists’ profound knowledge and strong pride in Chinese tradition and culture. The exhibited artworks have been created from the early 1980s until today and reflect the importance of contemporary art within this unique collection.

Date: Feb 26, 2012 - Mar 4, 2012

Opening: Feb 26, 2012, 15:00, Sunday

Venue: Shanghai Art Museum (Shanghai, China)

Curator: Li Xu

Artists: Cai Zhisong, Ceng Chenggang, Chen Yifei, Chen Qiang, Chu Teh Chun, Gu Wenda, Liu Xiaodong, Qiu Deshu, Shi Jinsong, Wu Guanzhong, Xue Song, Zao Wou-ki, Zeng Fanzhi, Zhan Wang, Zhang Huan, Zhang Yu, Zhang Xiaogang, Zhou Chunya

Critics: Jia Fangzhou, Li Xiaofeng

Organizers: How Art Museum (under preparation), Shanghai Art Museum