Please answer Questions 1 and 2 regarding the Portrait in the file attached. This is a discussion assignment for my Art class.
Following the end of the cultural revolution and the death of Mao Zedong, several movements influenced by western art and traditional Chinese ideas emerged in independent shows as well as within the art academies.From 1978-1981 coterie art groups and exhibitions as well as the reinvention of the art academy moved focus away from massed produced “Cultural Revolution art”.Movements such as scar art, “contemplative painting” and Native Soil Art emphasized a subjective approach to art as well as an outlet for expressing the lingering pain of the Revolution.
1. Describe the subject matter of the work of art. Due to the fact that many of the movements to emerge in this period emphasized Realist painting, the description may be straight forward. There are also examples of more abstract paintings, such as Huang Rui’s The Last Testament of Yuanmingyuan, where the interpretation is subjective (influenced by one’s own thoughts and emotions as a reaction to the painting). The artist may have used dark colors to emphasize a sombre mood or bright colors to signify optimism, for example.
2. Discuss the function of the work of art. Why was the painting created? Is it a personal expression of the artist or does it involve the expression of the ideals of a particular group? For example, why did Gao Xioahua select this scene of tragedy in the midst of the Revolution as a subject in the painting Why? ? What audience (s) is he trying to reach?
