A million dollar expression of art

• Source: Global Times
• [13:59 June 22 2010]
• Comments

Smell the Flowers by Zhou Chunya. Photos: Courtesy of Shanghai Art Museum

By Huang Xi

With his multimillion dollar pieces, Zhou Chunya is living proof that you don't have to starve to be an artist, and his dual exhibition with Yin Chaoyang at the Shanghai Art Museum is turning heads.

Zhou, a representative of Chinese new expressionism, has had works appear frequently in Sotheby's and Christie's, with some pieces reaching prices of 7.5 million yuan ($1.1 million).

Zhou's retrospective exhibition is made up of the "expansive" artist's near four decades of achievement from 1971 to 2010.

More than 150 works are on display, considerably the largest exhibition ever held by this influential artist. And a massive 300 million yuan in insurance premiums was taken out to protect the valuable works.

This exhibition covers the development of Zhou's style from his beginnings as an art student in the 70s to his Tibet-themed paintings in the 80s and onto his new millennium creations.

Hu Yongfen, the curator, borrowed most of the featured exhibits from 51 galleries, institutes and private collectors, including Zhou's early works from the 70s, most of which are sketches in pencil and pen.

One of Zhou's earliest works Shouzuyuan is on display and was drawn when Zhou was just 15 years old. "It is hard to believe I have drawn so many," Zhou said standing in front of his paintings.

The paintings hide the refined heritage of classical Chinese art but also integrate the features of contemporary art, which attracts many overseas buyers. "I would rather sell my works to Chinese people even if they sell at a lower price," said Zhou.

Green Dog, which is also on display, is considered Zhou's most exciting creation and the culmination of his "dramatic transition" style. This work exemplifies Zhou's unique style through its subject, color, arrangement and expression.

"My works may not be as good as others' but they are unique," Zhou said.

The difference between the old and the new is evident in his most recent series Peach Blossom. Zhou has concentrated on peach paintings since 2005, which, in traditional Chinese art, is a sexual motif.

This series also includes scenes of young couples making love under peach trees. "His works are far beyond 'painting' and involve stories, and the Peach Blossom series shows strong personal emotions in addition to the expressionism," commented artist Hong Lei.

At the same exhibition as Zhou's, Yin Chaoyang's Facade exhibition has arrived and is showing more than 30 figure paintings in oils, watercolors and sculptures.