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Exhibition at New Zhengzhou Art Museum|Long Live the Youth: The Nonage of Fine Arts in New China

They are students enrolled in 1978

The Central Academy of Fine Arts, as the best academy of fine arts in China, has cultivated numerous outstanding artists. Looking back, we can see behind successful individuals are glorious classes in the history of the Central Academy of Fine Arts. Many students in these classes have made brilliant achievements. It is the collective power that helps them move further and better.

Shi Guoliang, Eight Robust Laborers, ink and color on paper, 177x189 cm, 1980

This is the final project work created by the artist at the age of 24 when he finished his postgraduate study at the Central Academy of Fine Arts and collected by the Central Academy of Fine Arts.

Let's review the brilliant graduating classes through the works collected by the Zhengzhou Art Museum and find out their secrets for success.

The postgraduate class of Chinese paintings in 1978 was the first postgraduate class of the Central Academy of Fine Arts after the resumption of the national college entrance examination.

Period of Study: 1978-1980

Supervisor: Ye Qianyu, Li Kuchan, Jiang Zhaohe, Li Keran, Liu Lingcang, and learning from famous teachers like Liang Shunian, Lu Hongnian, Shi Lu, Huang Zhou, Ya Ming, and middle-aged teachers like Huang Runhua, Li Qi, Lu Chen, Yao Youduo, and Liu Boshu.

Student list: All the 16 students in the postgraduate class of the Department of Chinese Painting of Central Academy of Fine Arts in 1978 (ranked by age):

Chu Daxiong, Zhu Zhengeng, Lou Jiaben, Li Shaowen, Yang Lidan, Wang Yingchun, Xie Zhigao, Li Yansheng, Weng Rulan, Hu Bo, Han Guozhen, Liu Dawei, Yang Gang, Nie Ou, Hua Qimin, and Shi Guoliang.

The Story of the Sea by Hua Qimin on paper with colors in 1980 153 x 270 cm

This is the final project work created by the artist at the age of 27 when he finished his postgraduate study at the Central Academy of Fine Arts and collected by the Central Academy of Fine Arts

It is admirable to see the widely known supervisor group and the students' names with great reputations. We can take a look at Mr. Shao Dazhen's comments on how they learned at that time:

"'1978 · postgraduate student in Chinese painting', when I wrote these words, I felt warmth in my heart. The year 1978 is memorable! At that time, we just came through the havoc of the Cultural Revolution. When we first heard the slogan "reform and opening up", we did not understand it in a real sense. But things that happened around us touched our nerves and excited our minds. Overthrowing all feigned and misjudged cases, advocating a practical and realistic way of doing things, resuming the university entrance examination, respecting science and knowledge ... All of these made us vaguely realize that a new era where there was great social change was around the corner.

The art circle is the epitome of the Chinese society. At that time, the Central Academy of Fine Arts gradually restored its teaching order and began to engage in studying teaching and creation."

Yang Gang, The Legend of Prairie, ink and color on silk, 148 x 157 cm, 1980

This is the final project work created by the artist at the age of 34 when he finished his postgraduate study at the Central Academy of Fine Arts

Han Guozhen, Painter Jiang Zhaohe, ink and color on paper, 192 x 133 cm, 1980

This is the final project work created by the artist at the age of 36 when he finished his postgraduate study at the Central Academy of Fine Arts and collected by the Central Academy of Fine Arts

"In 1978, the university made an important decision to recruit postgraduate students in traditional Chinese painting, oil painting, printmaking, sculpture, and art history. The news spread across the country received a strong response, attracting a large number of applicants. And the teachers were inspired by the professional level of the candidates. Originally, the university prepared to enroll about 20 students. But after getting the approval of the Ministry of Culture, the quota was increased, and a total of 53 students were enrolled ultimately. This year, the Central Academy of Fine Arts recruited the most graduate students since its establishment, including 16 in the Department of Chinese Painting. The oldest was 39 and the youngest was 22. They came from across the country. Some of them had received college education or secondary art education before, and some were self-taught. Many of them had experienced the exercise of working in the countryside and mountain areas, acquiring a solid formative foundation and ability of creativity. Some of their works were displayed in national or provincial and municipal art exhibitions, and some were published in newspapers and magazines. It is conceivable how they were excited about being admitted as postgraduate students and yearned for knowledge."

Nie Ou, Bronze Age, ink and color on paper, 123 x 225 cm, 1980

This is the final project work created by the artist at the age of 32 when she finished her postgraduate study at the Central Academy of Fine Arts and collected by the Central Academy of Fine Arts.

"The faculty members of the Central Academy of Fine Arts overcame various difficulties and warmly welcomed these energetic and experienced students. Ye Xianyu, Li Kuchan, Jiang Zhaohe, Li Keran, and Liu Lingcang, the old professors of the Chinese painting department who are nearly in their seventies, made great efforts in teaching. Besides, Liang Shunian, Lu Hongnian, Shi Lu, Huang Zhou, Ya Ming, and middle-aged teachers Huang Runhua, Li Qi, Lu Chen, Yao Youduo, Liu Boshu, etc. participated in the teaching. The active learning atmosphere and innovative spirit, as well as the all-inclusive policy in teaching and creation of the Central Academy of Fine Arts, greatly broadened the horizons of postgraduate students, improved their consciousness of creating works based on national traditions, paying attention to social reality, extensively absorbing external nutrition and giving full play to their artistic personality. After two years of intense study, they delivered satisfactory learning results. In the autumn of 1980, their graduation creation report exhibition was widely praised by the art circle and the general public, and some of their works were full of innovative spirit, leading the trend. "

Source:

Official website of the Art Museum of Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA Art Museum). The text is quoted from Shao Dazhen's Rewarding the Glorious Era of Reform and Opening-up Exhibition — Celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the Graduation of the Chinese Painting Postgraduate Class of the Central Academy of Fine Arts

Long Live the Youth: The Nonage of Fine Arts in New China — Exhibition of Central Academy of Fine Arts Museum's Collection

—Venue—

Exhibition Hall 1 and 6, New Zhengzhou Art Museum

—Opening Ceremony—

2020.10.25

—Sponsor—

Central Academy of Fine Arts

Publicity Department of the CPC Zhengzhou Municipal Committee

Zhengzhou Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television & Tourism

—Undertaker—

Art Museum of Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA Art Museum)

Zhengzhou Art Museum (Zhengzhou Fine Art Institute)

—Supporters—

Beijing Zonhom Arts and Cultural Development Co., Ltd.

Copyright by Zhengzhou Municipal Tourism Administration