Hand of applause for the hands creating folk art
Print Edition
MINHANG is a district proud of its rich cultural heritage, illustrated by the long traditions of painting, shadow plays, paper-cuts, crochet and lacquerware.
With the advent of urban development, technological progress and fast-paced modern life, some of the labor-intensive handwork that sustains old art forms is at risk of being lost or forgotten.
Zhang Naiqing, former director of the Minhang District Library, is committed to preventing that from happening.
For the past two decades, he has interviewed folk artists from all over Minhang, recording what they do and how they do it. The material he collected has been collated into books.
Recently he worked with the Minhang District Folk Artist Association to mount an exhibition of Minhang folk culture.
The exhibition touches on some art forms that are not widely known in the district, including the facial makeup of Peking Opera in Hongqiao Town and handmade lacquerware in Huacao Town.
The exhibition also explores newer art forms such as modern genre painting and photographic painting.
“All cultural styles are important,” said Zhang. “We want more people to see and appreciate the beauty of art and to realize what they could lose if cultural art forms are left to die out.”
The exhibition is being held at the Zhuanqiao Center of Public Culture through Sunday. Here’s a peek at what’s on offer at the exhibition.
Date: Through Sunday
Venue: Zhuanqiao Center of Public Culture, 2699 Dushi Rd
Lacquerware
This ancient art form in China is relatively new to Shanghai. It began in earnest in the early 20th century, when lacquer artists gathered in the Zhuhang area of the Jinshan District.
Their work has resulted in a lacquerware museum in Huacao Town, where visitors can see first hand how the exquisite ware is produced. Artists give their works more value by a collaborative-style painting known as gong bi hua.
Lacquerware traditionally was used both as artistic décor and in everyday household use. On the artistic side, it can embody myths and legends in its designs. One of the most remarkable works is “Riverside Scene at the Qingming Festival,” in which artist Zhou Qingyu painted more than 550 characters into the lacquer.
The exhibition also features a new work with the theme of four love tragedies from ancient China.
Crochet
Crochet in Xinzhuang was developed from the Western tradition of knitting. In early 20th century, women in the area made crochet lacework for the robes of priests and ministers.
Starting in the 1950s and for the next few decades, crochet became a source of income important for families struggling through tough economic times. For many families living in Xinzhuang, food, school fees and even wedding costs all came from hands of women doing part-time crochet.
Nowadays, the artistic value of Xinzhuang crochet is widely appreciated. The works are sold as high-end tourist souvenirs and are presented as official gifts from government to foreign guests. In 2007, Xinzhuang crochet was listed as an “intangible cultural relic” in Shanghai.
One of the most famous modern practitioners of the art, Jin Longhua, has some of her works on display at the exhibition, including clothing, bedspreads and bottle cozies.
Paper-cuts
The traditional art of paper-cuts has become a source of pride for Zhuanqiao Town, where modern artists have elevated old themes into their own 21st century patterns.
More than 400 people are engaged in the artwork, and their creations have been displayed at events such as the 2010 World Expo and the annual Shanghai ATP 1000 Masters.
Zhou Ruomei, one of the current masters of the art, has works on display at the exhibition, including her “Birds Pay Homage to the Phoenix.”
Peking Opera facial mask makeup
Before the establishment of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, Peking Opera prevailed in Shanghai theaters and teahouses.
Fans and amateur performers crazy about opera masters created “fan art” based on the elaborate painted masks worn on stage.
Ni Weiming stands out among celebrated fans. His paintings feature smooth sketches, accurate detail and exquisite coloring. Minhang District has listed his work as one of its “intangible cultural relics.”
Ni’s style is popular in Hongqiao Town, where artists are trying to keep his tradition alive.
Genre and shadow play painting
Genre painting is a new art form developed in Minhang. In the 1990s, local artists, such as Xing Yuanhu and Ying Jianzhong, created traditional Chinese New Year paintings with modern heavy-color styles.
The themes of the paintings focus on the daily lives of people living in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River. The rich colors, exaggerated images and sometimes unsophisticated sketch work are reminiscent of classic peasant art.
Meanwhile, other artists have adapted the traditional shadow play into painting. Folk artist Ju Moxi, who is also a shadow player, created the new painting style in 1980 and it has developed from there.
The paintings retain the features of a shadow play, with flat characters in colorful clothes with complicated patterns.
Photographic painting
This is a new art form that has emerged in recent decades. Hua Guozhang, a professor at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, is credited with creating it. In the 1980s, he used printing ink to reprint film photos on rice paper, and mounted the pictures in the Chinese style.
The works combine the features of freehand brushwork and realism.
The university has kept his studio intact to encourage students and young artists to study the genre. The digital era has given the art form new avenues to explore.
Eighteen photographic works are displayed in the exhibition, with themes ranging from animals and landscapes to modern buildings.
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