Contemporary Chinese oil paintings produced in the past 30 years are on display at the newly opened “As Times Go By” exhibition at He Xiangning Art Museum.
The 40 paintings, selected from the museum’s collection, are representative works of contemporary Chinese oil paintings, and visitors can find some big names here, such as Yue Minjun, Fang Lijun, Wang Guangyi, Zhang Xiaogang, Zeng Fanzhi and Yu Hong. All the paintings are highly sought-after and collectors’ favorites.
Yue is best known for oil paintings depicting himself in laughter. His brightly colored depictions of maniacally laughing figures show his contemptuous attitude towards art, and his works act as a tacit form of social commentary.
A painting created by Yue Minjun in 2005.
Fang’s paintings often feature bald, aggressive-looking figures in candy-colored backgrounds of blue sky, blue sea and white clouds, examining the role of a cynical individual in pursuit of a carefree consciousness.
A painting created by Fang Lijun in 2000.
Wang is a Pop artist who combines old propaganda posters with Western advertisements to poke fun at the Western influence on Chinese culture.
Zeng’s paintings have been marked by their emotional directness, the artist’s intuitive psychological sense, and his carefully calibrated expressionistic technique.
Zhang’s paintings are predominantly monochromatic, stylized portraits of people dressed in outfits of the 1950s and 1960s, usually with large eyes, posed in a stiff manner, deliberately reminiscent of old family portraits. Upon discovering an album of his family’s old photographs in the late 1980s, Zhang was inspired to create the “Bloodlines” series.
Yu’s painted figures express the feelings and self-analysis of people thrown into the reality of society. The core subject of her paintings has always been human nature, with a focus on the growth and existence of a particular society and the world at large.
A painting created by Yu Hong in 1992.
Due to a concern for safety, He Xiangning Art Museum requires visitors to book their visits in advance through its WeChat miniapp code or by phone. Visitors can also book upon arrival but may have to wait outside to avoid overcrowding. Visitors must wear a face mask while inside the museum and present their ID information and a personal health code from the WeChat miniapp “深i您” upon arrival.
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Dates: Until May 5
Hours: 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., closed Mondays
Tel: 2660-4540
Venue: He Xiangning Art Museum, Nanshan District (南山区何香凝美术馆)
Metro: Line 1 to OCT Station (华侨城站), Exit C