This type of image may not fit the traditional mold of expression in Chinese paintings, but Chinese contemporary artists are fusing more and more Westernized expressions into their paintings, sculptures and photography.
Simone Lee, 23, is a contemporary art student at Jinan University in Guangdong, China. Though Lee’s paintings and sculptures incorporate aspects of Chinese culture, they are mostly centered on family and sexuality.
“I paint about sexuality, because it is the most natural thing that comes after birth,” Lee said.
Lee uses mostly oil in her paintings. She recently took up watercolor, a medium often used by Chinese, and felt “connected to the Zen quality” of it. Nevertheless, she still prefers using oil paint.
“Seeing as I was not brought up in China, my views come from the USA,” Lee said. “Because of that, I am able to fuse both Chinese and American techniques into my work.”
Lee is what the natives call an “ABC,” American Born Chinese. She was born and raised in Miami and comes from a large Chinese and Jamaican family. Lee moved to China in 2005, because she wanted to learn more about her Chinese culture. Though she sometimes feels like an outsider, Lee still feels a sense of belonging in China.
“I’m an outsider where ever I go, but I’m also an insider as well,” Lee said. “So my paintings are about the awkwardness and celebration of it.”
Lee goes to school full-time, works part-time and in-between time, hangs out with her friends. Despite her busy schedule, she manages to find time to paint every day. She prefers painting at night, while listening to music, because it gets her creative juices flowing.
“I usually like to listen to Bob Marley, he keeps me calm,” Lee said, “but sometimes listening to music makes me too playful.”
Lee also likes to dress up in heels, or wigs, while she paints, depending on what mood she is in. Dressing up helps her to focus and “become one” with her work. Lee’s art work is not limited to paintings and sculptures, she also does performances.
“For my sculpture or performances I always end up using fabrics,” Lee said. “And costumes seem to interest me immensely.”
Being an American Chinese is no loss for Lee. For her, it’s like having the best of both worlds.
“For me it is like comparing two places or two cultures at once, that I feel, at the same time, very connected too, part of, and proud of,” Lee said.
Traditional Chinese paintings during the Shang and Zhou Dynasty were mostly restricted to ancient heroes, flowers, trees, landscapes, birds and bamboo. In 1911, many Chinese painters studied abroad, traveling to Japan and Europe. When they returned to China, they brought a number of Western innovations including bold colors, European brushwork, perspective and abstraction.
The changes in Chinese art are a reflection of the changes in Chinese government and politics. In 1949, the formation of the People’s Republic of China introduced another important change in Chinese art and culture. Under the leadership of Mao Zedong, paintings began to illustrate politics and social reconstruction. As a result, many traditional folk arts, never recognized during the dynastic periods, were elevated to a place of significance.
It wasn‘t until the 1980s that Contemporary art was introduced to China. Chinese Contemporary art is a more Westernized style of art with Chinese roots. Though Chinese contemporary art still uses traditional Chinese images of flowers, birds, trees and ancient heroes, the form of expression is more modern and European.
Nowadays there are several outlets for Chinese contemporary artists to exhibit their bold, creative work. One of which is Art Scene China in Beijing. Art Scene China is a gallery that is home to many Chinese painters, photographers and sculptors, including Wang Xiaojin and Zhang Jie.
Unlike most Chinese contemporary artists, who are attracted to all things modern, Wang is inspired by the distant past of China, particularly its women and artistry. Although the details in his paintings are drawn from traditional Chinese culture, Wang initially found European art more appealing.
“When first entering Art College, I was fascinated by the western way of life – its art and traditions. I would talk extensively about Greek culture, Rembrandt, Rubens and so on,” Wang said. “I was more intrigued by occidental culture than my own. To me, Chinese ink painting seemed outdated while oil painting appeared more fashionable.”
Nowadays, however, Wang has more of an appreciation for Chinese art. His paintings illustrate traditional Chinese images of Chinese porcelain vases with elaborate flowering arrangements and women dressed in embroidered silk dresses with a Westernized twist.
“I am deeply proud of my roots and of how we are continually progressing on the artistic front, both in terms of skill and global recognition,” Wang said.
Even as a Chinese native, Wang believes that he has only just begun to scratch the surface of China’s tremendous civilization and its extensive culture.
Wang experiments with many types of techniques, including Gong Bi, which uses a very thin pen to paint detailed work; and Xie Yi, which is a more blurry, freer style that strives to capture the spirit and essence of objects and figures.
Unlike Wang, Zhang Jie’s paintings are more European.
A native of China, Zhang Jie was selected as one of China’s top 20 emerging young artists in the 2005 Dragonair Emerging Chinese Artist Awards.
Her watercolor paintings are self-portraits that reflect her pride in being a woman.
“Narcissism is the common attribute of my artwork,” Zhang Jie said. “I want to anatomize myself with scissors in my hands, to analyze myself as a female artist, a woman and a human being.”
As long as China continues to become more modernized, the paintings, architecture and sculptures will continue to reflect the country’s social and economic progression.
*Information, photos and quotes by Wang Xiaojin and Zhang Jie are courtesy of artscenechina.com
