Shanghai Himalayas Museum is pleased to present A Fragment in the Course of Time – Landscape of Chinese Ink Art in the 1980s on February 28, 2014. In the past years, Chinese ink art has increasingly attracted attention and interest from the global art scene. Exhibitions and discussions on Chinese ink art are in full swing not only in mainland China, Taiwan and Singapore but also in U.S., Canada and Europeans countries such as UK, Germany, France, Italy and Spain. After the launch of A New Spirit in Ink: An Exhibition of Cutting-Edge Ink Art in 2012, the museum now presents A Fragment in the Course of Time – Landscape of Chinese Ink Art in 1980s to trace back to the origin of contemporary Chinese ink art: How was it inspired? What kind of evolutions and changes did it witness? What experimental spirit did it embody? What developments, innovations and breakthroughs did Chinese contemporary ink artists ignite? Nearly 180 pieces of ink art works by 36 artists and relevant documents and archives will be featured at the exhibition.

The exhibition will be divided into two time segments: 1979 - 1984 and 1985 - 1989.

As a matter of fact, ink art as a whole was quite neglected during the “85 New Wave Movement”. Due to the influence of the post-Cultural Revolution period, this generation of artists didn’t inherit much restriction from traditional art, which enabled them to keep a more open mind towards ink art. Qiu Deshu’s innovative use of fissure and seal, Yu Youhan and Shen Chen’s abstract ink paintings, Zhang Jian-Jun’s ink installation, Pu Guochang and Li Jin’s wild expression with ink and Zhang Jin’s long scroll with color ink were all great examples of attempts to subvert the tradition and carve out a new path for the expression of contemporary cultural spirit. With the publication of Chinese Fine Arts Newspaper in 1985, its far-reaching influence greatly promoted the development of new art across the country. With artists like Gu Wenda, Shen Qin, Zheng Chongbin, Yuan Shun, Wang Chuan, Guang Yao, Yang Jiechang, Ren Jian, Chen Xinmao, Liu Zijian and Zhang Yu coming to the fore, new ink art was finally recognized an indispensable and prominent part of New Wave Art. Thanks to their persistence, a new outlook of boldness and originality for contemporary Chinese ink art was carved out.

In this regard, this exhibition intends to make an effort to present not only artworks but also a textual review in the hope to cast some light on the origin of contemporary Chinese ink art from a different perspective. Moreover, a survey has also been conducted concerning artists’ thoughts and practice of ink art in the 1980s. Their first-hand sharing of ideas and experience will give us insight into the stories and philosophies behind Chinese contemporary ink art, their visions and limitations. Also, a number of critics are invited to share their views and thoughts from the critical perspective. Their contributions will be included in the accompanying publication.

About the exhibition

Dates: Feb 28 – Apr 10, 2014

Opening: 5:00 pm Mar. 7, 2014

Seminar: 2:00 pm Mar. 7, 2014

Venue: Shanghai Himalayas Museum (3F, No. 869, Yinghua Road, near Exit 3 of Metro Line 7)

Curator: Ping Jie

Academic advisors: Liu Xiaochun, Peng De, Zhu Qi, Guo Yaxi, He Guiyan

Artistic director: Wong Shun-kit

Organizer: Shanghai Himalayas Museum In collaboration with Selection 1000

Participating artists: Chen Juyuan, Chen Xinmao, Qiu Deshu, Feng Xiaoming, Gu Wenda, Guang Yao, Guo Zhen, Hu Xiangcheng, Jiang Defu, Jiang Qigu, Li Jin, Liang Quan, Liu Yiyuan, Liu Zijian, Mai Jie, Meng Luding, Pu Guochang, Qin Feng, Shen Fan, Shen Chen, Shen Qin, Sun Liang, Yan Binghui, Yang Jiechang, You Si, Yu Youhan, Yuan Shun, Zhang Jian-Jun, Zhang Jin, Zhang Lansheng, Zhang Yu, Zhao Baokang, Zheng Chongbin, Zhou Jiazheng, Zuo Zhengyao

(Works and interviews of Dai Guangyu, Ma Desheng, Ni Haifeng, Ren Jian, Wang Chuan, Wang Gongyi and Zhou Shaohua will be presented in the accompanying catalogue.)

Courtesy of the? artists and Shanghai Himalayas Museum, for further information please visit www.himalayasart.cn.