Artworks produced during the Popular Republic of China's foundation in 1949 were the aesthetic reference of the time and have now become iconic pieces. These paintings depict an ongoing revolution: its heroes and the important reforms put in place by Mao Zedong. They were pedagogical tools that are now part of the Chinese collective consciousness.
Hadrien de Montferrand Gallery is pleased to introduce a selection of 30 drawings and preparatory sketches that reflect part of the social realist production of the time. Those works were created by masters including Cai Liang, Lin Gang, Pang Tao, Quan Shanshi, Song Ren, Su Gaoli, Sun Zixi, Tang Xiaohe, Wang Shenglie, Xiao Feng, Yin Rongsheng and Zhan Jianjun.
Born between 1920 and 1940 these artists are the key members of the nascent oil painting tradition in China. Most of them studied in Soviet Union during the 1950's with the goal of importing their newly acquired skills to Chinese academic circles. They went on to hold important positions, presiding Fine Arts Academies and Art associations; some of them still hold these positions to this day.
The exhibition History in the Making 2, Sketches For Iconic Paintings - the second of its type - focuses on these artists that were called on to build "A New China to serve the people". The exhibition highlights the commencement of their creative process, presenting preparatory sketches, charcoal drawings, pencil drawings, watercolor and oils on paper.
Major artworks will include Eight Heroines who drowned themselves in the river (Wang Shenglie, 1957), Heroes of Our Time (Sun Zixi, 1960), Chairman Mao at the Peasant Movement Institute (1961, Zhan Jianjun), On the Jinggang Moutain (Quan Shanshi ,1961), Strive Forward in Winds and Tides (Tang Xiaohe, 1971), Doctor Bethune (Xiao Feng & Song Ren, 1973-74), Very Good (Zhan Jianjun, 1975), Burn the Land Title Decree (Yin Rongsheng,1975), Spring Rain in Jinggang Mountain (Tang Xiaohe, 1976), Chairman Gao, Premier Zhou, and the Leader of the committee Zhu (Su Gaoli, 1977), Joining of the Three Main Forces of the Red Army (Cai Liang,1977), Poems on the Long March (Lin Gang & Pang Tao, 1977), Indelible Memories (Su Gaoli, 1979), Seizing the Victory-Chairman Mao with the army Marshals (Yin Rongsheng,1980).
The first exhibition of the series, History in the Making 1, was shown in 2012 by Hadrien de Montferrand gallery, and allowed 12 000 visitors to discover for the very first time the sketches of historical paintings collected by Chinese art museums.
About the exhibition
Duration: 24 May - 15 July 2014
Venue: HDM Gallery
Opening: 24 May 2014, Saturday 17:00
Tel: 13911651353
Add: 798 Art District, Next to At Café, No. 4 Jiuxianqiao Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing
Courtesy of the artists and HDM Gallery.
