Chinese Art History, Modern China & Contemporary Chinese Art

As China evolves, so does its art, sculpture, and architecture. Chinese art reflects the most significant achievement of the world’s oldest, living civilization. As a result of China’s long-standing traditions, it is no wonder why the younger generation of Chinese artists have a harder time breaking through the art world and gaining recognition for their work. Chinese art is a combination of traditions and innovations, of both native and foreign ideas, and of spiritual and worldly images. However, since the 1980s, when Contemporary Chinese art first emerged on the scene, art galleries in China have created an outlet for younger, modern artists to display their work.

History of Chinese Art

Chinese art history is classified into dynastic periods and the 20th Century. As in Egypt, the dynasty was the basic organizational unit of history. The art of China’s earliest dynastic periods, often called the Bronze Age, from the Shang to the Han dynasty, focused on the cult of the dead. The Shang Dynasty produced two types of bronzes: weapons and ceremonial vessels. Both are often covered with elaborate designs. Bronze vessels were used to contain the wine and food, which were offered up in ceremonies performed at the altar of the ancestral shrine. Another innovation of the Shang culture was stone sculpture made of carved jade. The bronze and jade pieces were used in underground burials to provide protection and comfort to the kings, and their officers, during the passage to afterlife. (1)

The Zhou Dynasty marked the introduction of worldly and abstract art. The dynasty began after they attacked the Shang kings in 1045 BC. At first, much of the Shang culture was retained. However, as the system of ancestor worship began to disintegrate, vessels once used in the temples became valuable trophies given by the king to powerful citizens. Vessels were cast to honor victories in war or the granting of land. As Zhou art evolved, bronzes became more secular and were often given as wedding gifts for household decoration. Late Zhou art displays the diversity and skill in techniques that characterize the rest of the history of Chinese art. Silk paintings, wood sculpture, lacquer work, and glazed ceramics also depicted the modern developments and styles. (2)

Painting, which had begun in the later period of Zhou art, thrived during the Han Dynasty. Tombs were still the primary focus for artists and architects, and the most popular themes of paintings were the afterlife and legends of ancient heroes. In these paintings the concept of perspective and distance is introduced. During the Han period the first landscape elements appear in paintings; at this early stage, however, they are restricted to small trees or mountains. (3)

The Shang and Zhou Dynasty, along with the dynasties that followed, make Chinese art what it is today. Landscapes, rocks and trees continue to be a theme in Chinese paintings as well as flowers, birds and bamboo, which were popular with royal family during the Song Dynasty. 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. 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 of China’s changing society, many traditional folk arts, never recognized during the dynastic periods, were elevated to a place of significance. (4)

Modern China and Contemporary Chinese Art

As China becomes more modernized, the paintings, architecture and sculptures continue to reflect the country’s social and economic progression. China’s economy is at a steady rise, due to exports and stock investments, and as a result, art is selling. In addition, the public’s interest in modern and contemporary is thriving and the art market remains strong.

Contemporary Chinese art is a more westernized style of art with Chinese roots. Art Scene China is a modern and contemporary art gallery that features more than 30 leading contemporary Chinese artists. Art Scene China has two venues in Shanghai, and one in Beijing, and has featured young painters, such as Zhou Weihua and Zhang Jie. Their works infuse Chinese art has reached Miami art galleries.

Chinese contemporary art has become transnational, being featured in Paris, New York and even Miami. The Yishu-Journal of Contemporary Chinese Art has been featured at Art Basel Miami Beach for the past two years, as well as the Chinese Art Invasion.

Chinese artists, such as Hung Liu and Wanxin Zhang have been exhibited at the Bernice Steinbaum Gallery in North Miami. Their paintings and sculptures reflect Chinese culture and history. Some of Liu’s paintings are created with lacquer paint, which was often used during the later period of Zhou art, yet she still incorporates western, modern techniques.

Simone Lee, 22, is a Chinese-American art student studying at Jinan University in Guangdong, China. She, like many other young artists in China, is having a hard time breaking in on the contemporary art scene. Since many of the popular contemporary Chinese artists were born in the 50s and 60s, Lee feels feel as though it will be awhile before artists, like herself, will get noticed due to lack of experience.

“The younger artists haven’t experienced changing China,” Lee said.

However, as Chinese contemporary art continues to thrive and more and more younger artists become recognized and featured in galleries, young artists will become more widely excepted by older, traditional China.