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Modern artworks in tune with ancient opera
By Wang Jie |
April 8, 2012, Sunday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
MODERN ink-wash painter Zhou Genbao captures famous scenes from Peking and other Chinese operas in fascinating detail as well as bold lines, sweeps and washes of color that give power and emotion to the scenarios.
Some works are abstract and highly dynamic. Some scenes are tragic, some humorous.
An exhibition of Zhou's latest opera works is underway at the Shanghai No.1 Art Museum through April 11.
A catalogue describes details of the scenes in Chinese and English.
"The difficulty of Chinese opera figure paintings is to capture a certain moment of the characters on the stage to reflect their personality," Zhou says.
For example, one scene from the Peking Opera "Chang Ban Po," named after a famous battle, depicts General Zhao Yun of the Shu Dynasty (221-263) encountering Lady Mi and the infant future emperor. Lady Mi is injured and cannot continue so she gives the infant to Zhao to ensure his safety. Then she throws herself down a well, so she will not impede them. Zhao straps the infant to his chest under his breast plate and continues to fight.
Zhou was once a middle school classmate of Chen Yifei, an art legend in China's contemporary art history. Chen recommended Zhou who was sponsored by Sotheby's Auctioneers Association and became a permanent resident of the US in 1998.
During his stay in the US, Zhou copied the painting on a bronze instrument for the New York Metropolitan Museum and also hand-painted costumes for Vivian Tam, the famous New York designer.
"I worked at Shanghai Museum to copy Chinese ancient masterpieces for nearly a decade, which built up a strong solid base for my understanding toward Chinese culture and art," Zhou says. "Yet my overseas living experience also broadened my art vision."
Date: Through April 11, 10am-5pm
Address: 1 Jianguo Rd M.
Some works are abstract and highly dynamic. Some scenes are tragic, some humorous.
An exhibition of Zhou's latest opera works is underway at the Shanghai No.1 Art Museum through April 11.
A catalogue describes details of the scenes in Chinese and English.
"The difficulty of Chinese opera figure paintings is to capture a certain moment of the characters on the stage to reflect their personality," Zhou says.
For example, one scene from the Peking Opera "Chang Ban Po," named after a famous battle, depicts General Zhao Yun of the Shu Dynasty (221-263) encountering Lady Mi and the infant future emperor. Lady Mi is injured and cannot continue so she gives the infant to Zhao to ensure his safety. Then she throws herself down a well, so she will not impede them. Zhao straps the infant to his chest under his breast plate and continues to fight.
Zhou was once a middle school classmate of Chen Yifei, an art legend in China's contemporary art history. Chen recommended Zhou who was sponsored by Sotheby's Auctioneers Association and became a permanent resident of the US in 1998.
During his stay in the US, Zhou copied the painting on a bronze instrument for the New York Metropolitan Museum and also hand-painted costumes for Vivian Tam, the famous New York designer.
"I worked at Shanghai Museum to copy Chinese ancient masterpieces for nearly a decade, which built up a strong solid base for my understanding toward Chinese culture and art," Zhou says. "Yet my overseas living experience also broadened my art vision."
Date: Through April 11, 10am-5pm
Address: 1 Jianguo Rd M.
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