EVOLUTION OF AN ARTIST
Fang Lijun is a name that can’t be ignored when discussing China’s contemporary art history. As one of the important figures in New Art Weave, Fang and the “illustrative and bald-headed” figures that he created have captured the world’s attention. He and other artists such as Yue Minjun created a unique art trend that came to be known as cynical realism. The ongoing exhibition, Art History
of Fang Lijun, at the Beijing Minsheng Art Museum takes a systematic look back at Fang’s decades-long art career.
According to the exhibition’s academic director, Lu Hong, the show aims to help audiences better understand how Fang’s art style was formed, not only by presenting his works and documents such as photos, but also by providing the artist’s notes and comments about his art.
After creating bald-headed young men in his 1988 series of paintings, Fang began to paint these figures in different poses – from yawning to smiling – as a reflection of the transition and changes that Chinese society was going through at the time.
The exhibition starts with works reflecting his childhood memories of the Cultural Revolution (1966-76) and the beginning phase of his art career.
“An energetic, diligent and highly motivated artist, Fang Lijun never lacked for inspiration. His prolific output in ink wash painting, print, sculpture and installation works has
made it possible to organize large solo exhibitions for him,” the exhibition’s curator, Huang Liping, wrote in the preface to the show.
Huang also emphasized the relationship between museums and artists.
“What are the respective purposes when art institutions store artists’ works? After many years have passed, what do collectors think of past collections? We hope that this exhibition will inspire more meaningful research into art history,” he said.
The exhibition will run until November 29.