Curator Hopes To Illustrate Influence Of Shanghai-Style Painting On Modern Chinese Art#
Running through June 27 at Shanghai's Xuhui Art Museum (1413 Huaihai Rd M.), the "Treasures in Shanghai" exhibition puts traditional Shanghai-style art front and center. Curated by Zhang Lixing, this is the first special exhibition of this important yet often overlooked art form, which typically consists of traditional ink-wash paintings created by Shanghai masters over the past century.
A cluster of big names like Fu Baoshi, Chen Shifa, Liu Danzhai and Wu Qingxia are listed at the exhibit.
For example, "Madame Xiang" created by Fu (1904-1965) is one of the exhibition's highlights. Credited with revolutionizing Chinese ink painting, Fu is considered one of the most important Chinese artists of the last century.
As an apprentice in a painting shop to an art history student in Japan and later a diligent artist who traveled around China to capture the country's landscapes, Fu formed his own style. His works are known for elegant and floating brushstrokes with a strong humanistic touch.
"Madame Xiang" features an ancient Chinese lady gazing over her shoulder, as if she is waiting or expecting something. The artist vividly renders an Oriental beauty in a serene yet attractive posture through simple and free brushwork.
Curator Zhang Lixing told the newspaper that he hopes this exhibition can call more attention to Shanghai-style artwork, and "lead to the creation of an art museum specializing in the collection and display of Shanghai pieces."
The Xuhui Art Museum is located at 1413 Huaihai Zhong Lu, near Fuxing Xi Lu, in the French Concession. (淮海中路1413号, 近复兴西路)
"Treasures in Shanghai,"#
running through June 27, 2010
Hours: 9 AM - 5 PM
Telephone: 6433-6516