At 10 am on September 21, 2014, jointly hosted by the Ministry of Culture, People’s Republic of China, China Federation of Literature and Art Circles, China Artists Association, jointly organized by Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA), China Mural Painting Society, Mural Painting Art Committee of China Artists Association, the Department of Mural Painting, CAFA Art Museum, “The Mural Painting Section at the 12th National Art Exhibition” and “The 3rd National Mural Painting Exhibition”, hosted by the Mural Painting Art Committee of China Artists Association and China Mural Painting Society, were inaugurated at CAFA Art Museum.

Party member and Secretariat Secretary of China Federation of Literature and Art Circles Xia Chao, Party Secretary of China Artists Association Wu Changjiang, Party Secretary of CAFA Gao Hong, consultant of China Artists Association Saone Chang, Mural Painting Art Committee of China Artists Association, well-known artists Hou Yimin, Zhou Lingzhao, Li Huaji, Yuan Yunsheng, Deng Shu and honored guests from all walks of life attended the opening ceremony, the Secretary General of Mural Painting Art Committee of China Artists Association Sun Tao presided over the opening ceremony.

Party Secretary of China Artists Association Wu Changjiang initially addressed the opening ceremony, he said, the National Art Museum was an art exhibition held by the state,it was not only the highest-level, largest-scale, most wide influencing art exhibition in Chinese art circles, and also one of the oldest literary and art activities that is continuously held by the state, the holding of the National Art Exhibition played a role in the development of Chinese art career. He stressed that the 12th National Art Exhibition and the 3rd National Mural Painting Exhibition were held together in CAFA, in order to examine the creative achievements and the development of the mural painting over the five years, and a review of the creative team of mural painting.

At the opening ceremony, Party Secretary of CAFA said that CAFA comprehensively supported and paid great attention to the National Art Exhibition. On the one hand, it encouraged and advocated the teachers and students to take an active part in the national arts exhibition, to shoulder the mission of contemporary artists; On the other hand, it supported the specific work of the review and organization of the National Art Exhibition.

Following on was the well-known artist Hou Yimin who gave an address. First of all, he thanked CAFA, who served as the organization that supported the National Art Exhibition, talking about the developing history of Chinese mural painting, the senior artist proudly said, “In the development of the mural painting over the 36 years, a large number of works of mural painting have become representative cultural symbols of cities, units, patriotism educational bases and memorials across the country, although mural painting is generally considered as a small genre, it performs the strongest voice of the times. Millions of the most ordinary people are the audience of mural painting, and it is the only genre refusing to be divided through painting tools and material, so that the inclusion is huge!” At last, in a big round of applause, Party member and Secretariat Secretary of China Federation of Literature and Art Circles Xia Chao announced the opening of the exhibitions.

In the early days of the exhibition, China Artists Association and Mural Painting Art Committee of the China Artists Association finished a lot of work on creation, organization and preparation. The Mural Painting Art Committee of China Artists Association adheres to the rich, diverse and break-through concept of mural painting, taking a tolerant attitude to the combination of a variety of ways such as technological means, installation, carving, as well as the innovation of the expressive ways and experimental works of mural painting. There are 159 finalists selected from the 182 works of mural painting of the reappraisal (including 20 works going to the capital). The finalists showcase the developing trend and rich appearance of Chinese mural paintings over nearly five years. These works are large scale, vehement and generous, full of patriotism, carrying forward the theme of the times, spreading the positive energy of life, reflecting the public spirit and style of the times. At the same time, both the metal work, ceramic, painting, sculpture, and the applying of mixed media to the exhibiting works, and the participation of modern technology, and the use of sound, light, electricity, all the means which are appropriate to the environment of the building, revealing the expressive ways of mural painting creation and the biggest artistic inclusive nature of the production process. New Chinese paintings will appear more rich and colorful, healthily leaving the ancient cultural tradition, constantly revealing the pressing developing demand of the times and the deepest call of people’s soul.

The exhibition will continue to October 10.

Text by Lin Jiabin, translated by Chen Peihua and edited by Sue/CAFA ART INFO

Photo by Quan Jing/CAFA ART INFO