Realism, surrealism in contemporary art

The exhibition shows three of the most prominent representatives of this modern "converted realism."(Photo: CCTV.com)

Realistic depictions are commonly found throughout the history of Chinese art. Still, each era has its own perspective. The interpretations and transformations of reality, reveal social and political changes in China over time.

During the 1980's, one group of burgeoning artists became among the first to meld artistic influences from the West, with their own artistic roots. These artists were seeking an escape from the formalism of a tradition which they believed had gone stale. The results of their experiments are presented in a new exhibition. "Facing Reality: Selections of Chinese Contemporary Art", opened at the National Museum of Fine Arts, April 9, 2008 afternoon.

The exhibition shows three of the most prominent representatives of this modern "converted realism." A more sober form of social reality, is emphasized, in the tension that exists between the individual and the collective. Social liberty and political power are mirrored among the grinning faces of bald heads. These are self images revealed in a series of paintings by Fang Lijun. Similar, repetitive images may be seen in a couple of oils from Yue Minjun. The heads and faces bear a grotesque, satirical mien - as if the artist is poking fun at himself.

Zhang Xiaogang's family portraits.(Photo: CCTV.com)

Zhang Xiaogang's family portraits -black and white oils with occasional flashes of color - are based on his family photos. Surreal elements and metaphorical turns are affected, through small blotches of color and the through the evident similarity of the faces.

Since the 1990's, globalization in China has led to more urbanization. The role of the media has blossomed. These developments have occurred at an unparalleled pace. In the arts, pluralist approaches and the use of various media are direct consequences.

A few works of installation art from Chen Wenling, Wang Jianwei and Xiang Jing adopt various media for interpreting reality. Digital photography, video, film and computer animation are forms favored by today's younger generation of artists.

In their works they question their self-identities and that of society. New and unimagined potentials are met in equal measure by uncertainties and insecurities.

The exhibition was first shown at the Museum Moderner in Austria late last year. At the original showing the exhibits covered the four floors of the museum in Vienna. The current showing in Beijing is an abridgement of the original.

Fan Di'an curator of National Museum of Fine Arts, said, "It's well known that contemporary art thrived in the climate of reform and opening-up. Experimentation gave rise to all kinds of arts. These remain in dire need of distillation and interpretation. Sometimes Art became overburdened with mono-dimensional Western views. The interpretation of reality began to diverge from mainstream culture. And that makes this selection all the more important. "

Throughout the exhibition, curators are keen to show that what's on show are not "art wonders" that suddenly materialized from nothing. The works represent the culmination of an era of Chinese art history spanning an entire century.