A joint exhibition featuring works by eight renowned painters opened at the Donghua Huimei Art Museum in Foshan (佛山东华慧美艺术馆) on April 16. The exhibition will run for one month and will remain open during the May Day holiday.
Showcasing more than a hundred exquisite masterpieces from the museum's collection, the exhibition features artists Yang Diansheng, Hu Jianguo, Jiang Yaonan, Liu Jinhe, Shang Lixin, Shu Xianghan, Wang Hui, and Han Weihua. These artists, collectively known as "Big Red Robe Painters," represent three generations: the elderly, middle-aged, and young. With rich themes and diverse styles, the exhibition offers a splendid and breathtaking display.
What is "Big Red Robe"?
As the most influential collection of paintings by renowned contemporary artists, the "Big Red Robe" (大红袍) collections are celebrated as the "Masterpieces of the Painting World." Artists whose works are included in the "Big Red Robe collections" and published as exclusive collections are referred to as "Big Red Robe Painters." Having works selected for this collection is the ultimate dream of countless artists.
Originating in the early 1990s, "Big Red Robe" is an alias for two large-scale series of painting collections: "Collections of Paintings by Famous Chinese Modern and Contemporary Artists" (《中国近现代名家画集》) and "Collections of Paintings by Famous Chinese Contemporary Artists" (《中国当代名家画集》), both edited and published by the People's Fine Arts Publishing House.
Starting with early artists such as Wu Changshuo, Qi Baishi, and Huang Binhong, over 300 painters have had their works published in this collection. It is characterized by its "Chinese Red" cover adorned with foil-stamped characters. Due to its elegant design, excellent printing quality, and pleasing appearance, it is highly regarded by painters. Additionally, its first-class artistic standard is truly admirable, making it a prestigious honor in Chinese painting and calligraphy circles. Since 2016, only three to five artists have been selected each year.
About the eight painters
Yang Diansheng, a prominent painter and the deputy director of the Art Committee of Donghua Huimei Art Museum in Foshan (佛山东华慧美艺术馆艺术委员会), is a recipient of the highest award from the China Artists Association, the Jincai Award. He has participated in exhibitions and won awards more than 80 times in a single year, setting a record in the Chinese painting world. His work "Spring Snow" (《春雪》) is part of the collection at the Ziguangge Pavilion of the Zhongnanhai leadership compound (中南海紫光阁).
An artwork by Yang Diansheng
The distinguished painter Hu Jianguo is also a Jincai Award winner and has participated in exhibitions of the China Artists Association more than 40 times. He excels in both freehand and meticulous landscape paintings.
An artwork by Hu Jianguo
Jiang Yaonan, the executive director of the Hong Kong Painting Academy and president of the China Guanyin Art Research Institute, is recognized as one of the most influential figure painters in contemporary China. Three of his Guanyin portraits are featured in this exhibition.
An artwork by Jiang Yaonan
Liu Jinhe, a leading painter of the Xin'an painting school, has frequently participated in national exhibitions and won top awards. Many of his works are housed in major institutions, including the National Art Museum of China, the National Museum of China, the Palace Museum, and the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse.
An artwork by Liu Jinhe
Shang Lixin, a celebrated contemporary meticulous painting artist, is a recipient of the Jincai Award from the China Artists Association. His detailed paintings, created with colored ink on raw rice paper, have been registered for copyright by the National Copyright Administration.
An artwork by Shang Lixin
Shu Xianghan, a well-known painter, specializes in ink-wash freehand figure paintings. He explores the lives of ethnic minorities in the Western Hunan region, transforming real-life labor scenes into art. His works vividly portray the simple lives of laborers and showcase the rich aesthetic charm of the local culture.
An artwork by Shu Xianghan
Wang Hui, a prominent figure in the contemporary Lijiang Painting School, was invited by the US Library of Congress in 2006 to present his debut painting collection, "A Hundred Scenes of the Lijiang River" (《漓江百景图》), at the library. He is the first Chinese painter to have the honor of standing on the podium of the Library of Congress.
An artwork by Wang Hui
Han Weihua is an innovator in the realm of new ink-wash landscape painting. His works were selected for the "Big Red Robe" series by the Tianjin People's Fine Arts Publishing House in 2014. At just 37 years old, he became the youngest "Big Red Robe" painter at that time when his painting collection was published.
An artwork by Han Weihua
Editor | Li Lan (intern), Liu Lingzhi, James, Shen He
