Realistic Contemporaneity

- Zhao Li

Modern China has experienced an utmost fortitude process from gradual decline, extreme downfall to national resurgence. However, the modern Chinese art based on the process is not only the reflection of Chinese social change, but also the strength to push social development of China. Transformation is the theme of modern China, and results in furious collision of social and cultural morphology. Since the 20th century, in art vicissitudes, the verismo has undoubtedly become the main creation stream in Chinese art circle.

In China, the verismo has experienced active selection of two-generation people, e.g. Li Tiefu, Li Yishi, Li Chaoshi, Xu Beihong, Yan Wenliang and more, 8-year flames and smoke of anti-Japanese ward, national probe at early stage of new China, beneficial attempt after introducing the Soviet Union mode in 1950s, bringing order out of chaos at new times of reform and openness, diversified personality development in 1990s, obsession and conventionality of artists since new century, but also has vigorous vitality at present.

Actually, for creation of art individual, there is no difference between the new and the old, and no difference between times and branch. It is probably just as remark from western philosophers, "value standards for artistic creation is only are only the good and the bad". And what are the best artistic creations? Those sincere creations, those creations coming from The Heart and those creations expressing one's own viewpoints; Apparently, the realistic oil painting may be connected with "foretime” or even "foretime of foretime" art by people. Therefore, it is often divided into "traditional" category. However, in China, the realistic oil painting not only has substantial foretime, but also substantial nowadays. If taking a good look at these creations, we can find that besides the "normally beautiful" appearance in the realistic oil painting that attract the enjoying look from the Chinese public, the realistic oil painting has already gone beyond the language description skill, and developed to the exploration level of speculation.

Since the 1990s, the presentation of so-called "new realism", "concept realism" and "post realism" are not the retrofit of "the same old stuff with a new label", but with an eye to innovation and prolongation of concept. Besides beneficial attempt in concept, the present development of realism also maintains the creation power in culture care and culture reflection. Based on the parrot, fickleness and radicalism background, rhetoric questions e.g. "where we are from and to go" are so rare. It is undoubtedly the unique mode for realistic oil painting into the contemporary society.

This exhibition is a new attempt in expressing the above viewpoint with group combination form. The exhibition artists include not only middle-age artists who have been engaged in realistic oil painting for a long time, but also several young artists who cut a figure in recent years. The exhibition works are mainly their new works to reflect the up-to-date art progress of these artists, and show diversified looks of Chinese painting circle. As the precursory art gallery in 798 art region, we also try to describe the existing diversifying status and active selection of Chinese artists through these schemes and exhibitions. We look forward to the future by tracing the origin of the bygone and paying close attention to nowadays.

Participating artists:
Ai Xuan, Cui Quancheng, He Wenqing, Hu Jiancheng, Jiang Guofeng, Leng Jun, Li Rui, Ma Xiaoguang, Peng Si, Wang Xiaoguang, Wang Yidong, Xia Xing, Zhou Wufa