Exhibition time: 2019-09-08-2019-10-07
Exhibition location: Central Academy of Fine Arts Museum 4F Exhibition Hall
Opening time: 2019-09-18 14:00
Organizer: Central Academy of Fine Arts
Organizer: Central Academy of Fine Arts Art Museum
Chief Planner: Fan Di'an
Art Director: Zhang Zikang
Curator: Li Yaochen
Exhibition details
Due to the gift and thoughts, Liu Xian tends to be meticulous in his woodcut art techniques, especially through the use of Western prints, opening up a new way of expressing Mukou woodcut form. His works created in the woodcut method of Mukou are rich in rigorous composition and exquisite modeling. The ink lines of the knife and the wood grain texture are integrated, and the bright and windy picture creates a relaxed mood between square inches, so that Chinese prints can absorb foreigners. Experience is transformed into the height of the times created by hand.
Exhibition Preface
In the course of the development of Chinese art in the first half of the 20th century, the emerging printmaking movement was an artistic madness that raised cultural ideals, faced real life, and shining sharply. A large number of artists gathered in clusters, seeking truth in their ideology, breaking through the stereotypes in art, writing an evocative chapter of art in the evocative national liberation movement, showing the new quality and majestic power of culture. In this cluster, Mr. Liu Xian is the initial participant and always adherent. His contribution to the cause of Chinese printmaking exudes eternal glory.
Baptized by the new cultural thoughts of the May Fourth Movement and placed in the cultural context of salvation and enlightenment, Liu Xian has had an agitated feeling since his youth. As the standard bearer of the emerging printmaking movement, Lu Xun is not only his spiritual mentor, but also the creative mentor who gives him direct guidance. He created illustrations for Lu Xun's works. Among the personal woodcut collections in Lu Xun's collection, his works are the most numerous. This kind of interaction makes his art not only based on reflecting the concerns of reality, but also perseveringly towards the inquiry of the soul, such as searching for the spiritual home in the dark sky at night, and igniting the light of insight with artistic thinking and hard work.
After the outbreak of the War of Resistance Against Japan, Liu Xian resolutely suspended his studies in Japan and returned to China to participate in anti-Japanese and national salvation propaganda activities in the woodcut world, and then went to Yan'an, where he worked as a woodcut teacher in the "Lu Yi" Art Department and devoted himself to high-density creation. Chairman Mao Zedong praised Liu Xian’s works recording the anti-Japanese battles and praising the production and life of the people in the democratic base area. He said: “I don’t understand the truth of woodcuts, but I like to watch woodcuts. Comrade Liu Xian came to the border area not long ago, and there have been many. I hope to continue to work hard to create new art for the Chinese nation." Inspired by Mao Zedong's literary and artistic thought, Liu Xian and Yan'an artists worked actively along the direction of "new art" and played an important role of revolutionary art in fighting the enemy and encouraging the people.
Due to the gift and thoughts, Liu Xian tends to be meticulous in his woodcut art techniques, especially through the use of Western prints, opening up a new way of expressing Mukou woodcut form. His works created in the woodcut method of Mukou are rich in rigorous composition and exquisite modeling. The ink lines of the knife and the wood grain texture are integrated, and the bright and windy picture creates a relaxed mood between square inches, so that Chinese prints can absorb foreigners. Experience is transformed into the height of the times created by hand.
After the founding of New China, Liu Xian felt the changes of the times and the society’s new yearning for “beauty”. The theme turned to express natural life and fables. His painting style became more refreshing and refreshing. A large number of works represented by "A Hundred Flowers" and numerous books The decoration and illustration works express his singing of the new society and praise of the simple life.
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the May Fourth Movement and the 70th anniversary of the founding of New China. We have held a Liu Xian art exhibition focusing on Mukou woodcut works. It is very realistic for understanding Liu Xian’s artistic contribution and the focused exploration spirit of a generation of ancestors. Inspiring meaning. Looking closely at the marks of the knife and pen, like hearing the sound of "wood pecking", isn't the tiny wooden woodcut the epitome of the great era and Mr. Liu Xian's artistic life?
Van Dian
September 2019