Exhibition Title
Pioneering: Chinese Artists Abroad in France and Chinese Modern Art (1911-1949)
Time
2019.06.19 — 2019.09.01
Venue
Long Museum Chongqing
Guo Hua Financial Centre, No.9 Juxianyan Plaza,
Jiangbei District, Chongqing
About the Exhibition
The exhibition tour of “Pioneering: Chinese Artists Abroad in France and Chinese Modern Art (1911-1949)”, hosted by the Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA), CAFA Art Museum, and Long Museum, opened grandly at Long Museum Chongqing on June 18, 2019.
▲Opening ceremony
At the opening ceremony, the esteemed guests gave their speeches. Among them are: Professor Ma Lu, Dean of the School of Plastic Arts and Professor of the Department of Oil Painting at CAFA; Professor Wang Chunchen, Deputy Director of CAFA Art Museum; Ms. Wang Wei, Director of Long Museum; Associate Professor Guo Hongmei, Head of the Theory and Publication Department of CAFA Art Museum and the curator of this exhibition; Professor Pang Maokun, Director of Sichuan Fine Arts Institute; Ms. Han Jianli, daughter of the artist Han Leran; Professor Li Wenhua, Director of the Art Museum of Shandong University of Art & Design; Mr. Li Dajun, Founder of Shixiang Space and President of Wu Dayu Art Fund.
▲Professor Ma Lu was giving a speech
Professor Ma Lu, Dean of the School of Plastic Arts and Professor of the Department of Oil Painting at CAFA, said that France once served as the center of art and oil painting in the world. At that time, there was a big gap between China and western world in science, technology and culture, so the mission for the Chinese artists in France was not only to learn art, but also to bring back the more advanced science, culture and technology to China. One of the most important characteristics of Chinese art history is that the concept of science and democracy are represented by both art concepts and technologies.
▲Professor Wang Chunchen, Deputy Director of CAFA Art Museum, was giving a speech
Professor Wang Chunchen, Deputy Director of CAFA Art Museum, stated that this exhibition bears with the solemnity of history and manifests our hardships and endeavors we experienced in the past century. In the era of “studying abroad”, learning from the western countries was a method rather than a purpose. Those Chinese artists who stayed in France have explored the truth of the world by means of art. Our forerunners, fearless of arduousness, opened a window for us to see the world and set an example for us to learn from the world.
▲Curator Guo Hongmei was giving a speech
Associate Professor Guo Hongmei, Head of the Theory and Publication Department of CAFA Art Museum and also the curator of this exhibition, mentioned that in the first half of the 20th century, Chinese artists who studied in France had kept a close relationship with Chongqing. Moreover, they made up their minds to develop Chinese art from tradition to modernity. They thus became the forerunners and practitioners of cultural appeals for the modernity of Chinese art of the 20th century and became founders and pioneers of the shifting of Chinese art towards modernity.
▲Professor Pang Maokun, Director of Sichuan Fine Arts Institute, was giving a speech
Pang Maokun, Director of Sichuan Fine Arts Institute, mentioned that Chongqing was of great significance in the development of Chinese art in that era of turmoil and uncertainty. A number of artworks were created by Chinese artists studying in France during their stay in Chongqing. The assembling of these artists also laid a solid foundation for art development in Chongqing.
▲Ms. Wang Wei, Director of Long Museum, was giving a speech
Ms. Wang Wei, Director of Long Museum, expressed her gratitude to all the related institutions. She said that this exhibition is the largest one at Long Museum Chongqing since the opening of the “100 Years of Chinese Art” exhibition. Besides, this exhibition has been awarded the “2018 Communication and Promotion Project” by China National Arts Fund, and several displayed works in this exhibition come from more than 40 public art museums. Various parties contributed to the holding of this exhibition of great historic value.
It features 141 works by 42 artists, including paintings, sculptures and research materials, in which there are 43 artworks provided by Long Museum and more works from nearly 40 public and private institutions as well as private collectors.
▲Ms. Han Jianli, daughter of the artist Han Leran, was giving a speech
Ms. Han Jianli, on behalf of all the family members of the artists, narrated that Chongqing was of special significance to the artists studying in France. She said that this exhibition is not just an art show, but rather an opportunity to get acquaintance with our predecessors’ thoughts and memorable years. Also, Culture is the spirit and soul of a nation and country and is produced by the deposition of history, from which, in return, history continues.
▲Professor Li Wenhua, Director of the Art Museum of Shandong University of Art & Design, was giving a speech
Professor Li Wenhua, Director of the Art Museum of Shandong University of Art & Design, as a representative of public art museums, mentioned that Chongqing was a cultural center of Chinese art during the Anti-Japanese War. He also stressed that the holding of this exhibition in Chongqing would help us to have a better perception and understanding of Chinese art in the period of the Anti-Japanese War in a close distance. It is of special historical feelings and realistic significance to bring many artworks back to Chongqing where art pioneers once lived.
▲Mr. Li Dajun, Founder of the Shixiang Space and President of Wu Dayu Art Fund, was giving a speech
Mr. Li Dajun, Founder of the Shixiang Space and President of Wu Dayu Art Fund, on behalf of private museums, pointed out that modern art of the 20th century is very essential in the long history of China. Due to many historical reasons, some artists of this period have been overlooked. They are just like stars in the sky, shimmering all the time but overshadowed by the clouds and our visions. This exhibition presents the observation and discussion of the phenomenon of studying abroad in the early 20th century in China, which is the milestone in history and has epoch-making significance.
▲A group photo of guests
Featured Works
Chang Shuhong, Seated Nude, 140x92cm, 1940
CAFA Art Museum
Wu Zuoren, Boat Tracker, 150x100cm, 1933
CAFA Art Museum
Chang Shuhong, Two Sisters in the Parlour, 164x130cm, 1936
Long Museum
Liao Xinxue, The Portrait of Woman in Green, Ink and color on paper, 55x44.5cm, 1938
Long Museum
Xu Beihong, Family of Yang Zhongzi, Oil on canvas 59.5×79.5cm, 1928
Long Museum
Zhang Chongren, The Statue of Qi Baishi, Bronze, 38x32×19cm
Long Museum
Li Chaoshi, Clivia Miniate, Pastel on paper, 66x43.5cm, 1960
Private Collection
Tang Yihe, Sketching in Jiangjin II, Oil on canvas, 45×33.5cm, 1941
Collection of the Artist’s Family
Wu Dayu, No Title -112, Oil on Canvas, 53x38cm, 1980
Beijing Shixiang Space
Han Leran, Blanket Market, Oil on canvas, 200x150cm, 1945
Heilongjiang Art Museum
Wu Zuoren, Armour, Oil on canvas, 61x53.5cm, 1934
The Collection of the Artist’s Family
▲Exhibition scene
▲Communication among artists
▲Exhibition photos
(Translated by Li Yanjie
Edited by Lu Yufan)
