An international sketch

• Source: The Global Times
• [21:13 June 03 2009]
• Comments

Fang Lijun’s painting.

By Wu Ziru

For long, the territory largely dominated by artists from the western parts of the world, the international contemporary art circle is now opening up for artists from China too.

The world-famous art fair Venice Biennale, is displaying works by 7 Chinese artists from June 6 onwards until November 22, 2009, in recognition of the growing appeal of art from China.

Displaying one’s works there not only signifies an academic achievement but is also a guarantee for a bright future at the world art market. Further, with each country setting up its own pavilion, the contest goes beyond art itself.

The way forward has not been easy for Chinese artists, according to Zhang Yu, the general manager of China Arts and Entertainment Group, the organizer of Chinese Pavilion on the upcoming 52nd Venice Biennale.

“The Western art world didn’t pay much attention to Chinese art until recent years,” said Zhang during a press conference held in Beijing. “For a long time there was no way for Chinese artists to go to the world.”

But things are totally different from what it used to be, according to Zhang. There are in all ninety artists from around the world invited to this year’s Venice Biennale, among them are seven Chinese artists, including several prestigious names such as Fang Lijun, Zeng Fanzhi and Qiu Zhijie,He Sen,Liu Ding and Zeng Hao.

Together with Kassel Documenta and Art Basel, Venice Biennale is regarded as one of the top three world-famous art fairs. The Biennale draws many famous collectors from around the world in this small beautiful city every other year.

“It is a very good chance to showcase our art before celebrities from art circles around the world,” said Zhang.

Chinese artists’ works, in all possible forms like easel painting, sculpture, installations and so on, are assembled under the theme of “What is to Come”, which is inspired from a Chinese idiom, “from one small clue one can see what is to come.” To echo the theme of their pavilion, all the displaying works by Chinese artists would be small in their forms, with the tiniest work a palm-sized painting, according to Lu Hao, a famous Chinese artist, who is also the curator of Chinese Pavilion.

This popular saying is borrowed from an ancient Chinese book, according to Lu. He informs that the idiom is used here with the aim to reflect the Chinese society through the displayed pieces of artworks.

Apart from reflecting China’s achievements during the past thirty years after the Reform and Opening-up Policy in 1978, the exhibition in Chinese Pavilion will also show its academic value, which is of a very high standard, according to Lu. “We are trying our best to offer a well-rounded perspective on Chinese modern society from the artists’ reflections.”

Other artists participating in the Biennale are He Jinwei and Liu Ding. “He Jinwei is among the few artists who are devoting themselves to artistic creation, never being disturbed by the hustle and bustle of the outside world,” said Zhao Li, the joint curator, who is also a professor at the Central Academy of Fine Arts.

A series of small-scale oil paintings by He, which are all realistic portraits of the orphans and pupils in Sichuan earthquake last May, are likely to be displayed in this year’s Venice Biennale.

“We need to show a comprehensive China to the world, encompassing both the scene of prosperity as well as disasters,” said Lu.