Related News
‘Beyond Image’ explores world of print art
Print Edition
A lack of understanding among Chinese art collectors has hindered the country’s print art market.
Compared with a rich history in US and Europe, modern print art only dates back about 100 years in China, according to Wang Xilin, a Shanghai print making artist and a council member with the Shanghai Artist Association.
“Print art is the art of copying the original, which Chinese art collectors have little appreciation for because they care more about the uniqueness of the artworks,” Wang told Shanghai Daily at the exhibition “Beyond Image” at The Gallery, Grand Tower in Pudong Shangri-La, East Shanghai.
A total of 16 silk screen pieces of representative works by esteemed local artists Ding Yi, Xue Song and Wei Guangqing are on display until October 9. It’s the latest show in Shanghai Daily’s Art Vision project that includes ShangART Gallery.
“Prints are more popular and better appreciated outside China and many artists can even make a living by selling prints instead of original works,” Wang said.
In the past five years, prints worth up to 10 million pounds (US$15.4 million) were auctioned in London annually while the market was valued at US$17-20 million each year in New York during the same period, according to ArtTactic, a British art investment consulting firm.
Of all the prints auctioned this spring in London, about half sold for less than 10,000 pounds each.
Authorized by the original artist or galleries with the rights to a work of art, prints are often produced in limited numbers. Prints often include the original artist’s autograph and sell at significantly lower prices than the original. Some prints are even made by the original artist, but not always.
“This makes them a worthy investment,” said Wang Fang, director of Peninsula Print Making Studio. “Due to their small size, prints are considered a decent option for decorating homes,” she added.
A silk screen print of Ding’s signature cross painting takes center stage at Beyond Image. The work — composed of “x” and “+” marks in red, fluorescent yellow and bright pink — is one of his numerous paintings titled “Appearance of Crosses.” For almost three decades, Ding has used the same technique to paint what he describes as a seemingly “meaningless elemental geometric code.”
Ding was part of China’s New Wave Contemporary Art Movement in the mid-1980s and one of 16 young artists who founded the art hub at 50 Moganshan Rd, now known as M50. The artist just held a solo exhibition at Long Museum, West Bund to mark his 30 years in the world of avant-garde art.
His works often sell for more than 1 million yuan (US$156,900), according to ShangART. His most expensive piece was purchased at auction for HK$17.46 million (US$2.25 million) in Hong Kong in 2011.
The screen prints at Beyond Image cost 30,000 yuan each and there is an average of 50 copies of each work, which makes them a “nice bargain” for collectors, Wang Fang said.
“More Chinese artists are getting involved in print making as they look for more creative possibilities with different mediums,” she added. Common print making techniques include woodblock, etching, aquatint, lithography and silk screen. Normally, 99 copies at most can be made out of one artwork via silk screen, while it can only produce three aquatint copies, subject to craftsmanship.
“Once made, prints are irreversible. Every copy varies and artists are often obsessed with these uncertainties,” Wang Fang said. “In this way, each print can be viewed as a unique work.”
Wang Xilin added that the lack of standardization is another problem that makes local collectors wary of prints.
“The key is to learn about the artist and his work before you purchase anything,” Wang Xilin said. “What matters most is whether you like the piece or not. There in no point in blindly following trends if you don’t like the art.”
Seven works by artist Xue Song are showcased this time, including his well-known Coca-Cola bottles and a portrait of Argentina revolutionary Che Guevara.
Inspired by a blaze that swept through his studio and destroyed everything inside, Xue forged his art by fire and devastation. He burned fragments of everything from pop culture and political icons to luxury brands and religious figures, blending them into whole new images.
Silk screen copies allow collectors to appreciate Xue’s works as the fringes of burned fragments vary from copy to copy, according to Wang Fang.
The show also includes six works by artist Wei Guangqing. They are based on a Chinese literature classic titled‚ “The Extended Virtues Words.” The book was among Taoism readings for children during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
