Tradition and Innovation: The Human Figure in Contemporary Chinese Art

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Chazen Museum of Art

Chi Peng: Now-ing

This series, which will run until July 5, showcases innovative work from Beijing-based artists and promises to challenge preconceptions of Chinese art.

press release: The twenty-three monumental works of art brought together in the exhibition provide a rare look at Beijing’s current art scene as represented by some of China’s most respected and successful artists.

All of the exhibiting artists, at some point in their careers, trained at the Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA) in Beijing, which is China’s foremost school for the visual arts. Some of the artists have continued there as distinguished members of its faculty. A hallmark of CAFA-trained artists is mastery of technique, and whether they work in traditional ink wash painting, western-style oil painting, or digital photography, their skills are flawless. Some artists use centuries-old methods to depict modern themes; other artists use Western imagery and tradition to portray life in today’s China.

Although the exhibiting artists are well known in Asia, many have never been seen in the United States before now. This exhibition represents a very special opportunity to see this artwork for the first time.