Regeneration, 2021

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Summary

Creators:

Cao, Ou, 1987-, Chen, Mingming, 1982-, Gu, Xiuhua, 1988-, Guo, Shuang, 1990-, He, Sanqing, 1988-, Li, Wenpeng, 1991-, Liu, Jing, 1983-, Liu, Keji, 1992-, Lu, Yan, 1980-, Shao, Weifeng, 1990-, Shi, Lei, 1982-, Wu, Jiantang, 1986-, Xu, Na, 1986-, Xu, Zhonghong, 1991-, Yao, Yuanlu, 1987-, Zhang, Lingrui, 1992-, Zhang, Qiuyuan, 1993-, Zuo, Wei, 1987-, and Muban Educational Trust

Abstract:

The portfolio Regeneration showcases the work of eighteen contemporary young Chinese printmakers who are experimenting with and revitalizing the traditional woodblock printmaking process. The prints range from single-block monochrome images to complex multi-block prints using as many as fifty-three blocks. Some are printed with oil-based ink, while others use the traditional Chinese technique of printing with water-soluble colors that suggest wash-like effects.

Extent:

18 prints (1 portfolio)

Language:

Collection material is in Chinese.

Preferred citation:

Regeneration, 2021, The Getty Research Institute, Los Angeles, Accession no. 2023.PR.14.

http://hdl.handle.net/10020/archives2023pr14

Background

Scope and content:

The portfolio Regeneration showcases the work of eighteen contemporary young Chinese printmakers who are experimenting with and revitalizing the traditional woodblock printmaking process. This process, with its origins dating back to at least the 8th century in China, has continuously played a vital role in Chinese culture. The prints range from single-block monochrome images to complex multi-block prints using as many as fifty-three blocks. Some are printed with oil-based ink, while others use the traditional Chinese technique of printing with water-soluble colors that suggest wash-like effects.

The portfolio was commissioned by the Muban Educational Trust (MET), which is a registered charity dedicated to the research, collection, and promotion of Chinese woodblock prints and printmaking. The annual MET woodblock printmaking award is for young printmakers of Chinese nationality who graduated from undergraduate and postgraduate printmaking courses in China.

The printmakers selected for this portfolio, which is the second portfolio commissioned by MET, are: Cao Ou (1987-), Chen Mingming (1982-), Gu Xiuhua (1988-), Guo Shuang (1990-), He Sanqing (1988-), Li Wenpeng (1991-), Liu Jing (1983-), Liu Keji (1992-), Lu Yan (1980-), Shao Weifeng (1990-), Shi Lei (1982-), Wu Jiantang (1986-), Xu Na (1986-), Xu Zhonghong (1991-), Yao Yuanlu (1987-), Zhang Lingrui (1992-), Zhang Qiuyuan (1993-), and Zuo Wei (1987-).

To address the topic of the portfolio, "regeneration," the printmakers have variously reflected on human life cycles, the extinction of animal species, the metamorphosis of butterflies, the COVID-19 pandemic, the place of humankind within the cosmos, and Buddhism. While the work of Zhang Qiuyuan is abstract, many of the other compositions are landscapes that include traditional motifs such as mountains, forests, cranes, and butterflies. The compositions of Xu Zhonghong and Liu Jing focus with nearly photographic realism on large-scale images, respectively a Covid surgical mask and human figures. Li Wenpeng has cut directly into the woodblock to create minute intricate landscape scenes, while most of the printmakers made preparatory drawings for their compositions.

The portfolio was issued in an edition of 60.

Each sheet is signed, titled in Chinese, dated ("2021"), and numbered ("14/60") in pencil by the artist in the lower margin.

For statements from the artists and from the judges who selected the printmakers, see: Regeneration: The Making of the Prints: A Companion Volume to a Portfolio of 18 Contemporary Chinese Prints... (London : Muban Educational Trust, 2022).

Acquisition information:

Acquired with support from MUFG N.A. (Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. U.S. Operations). Acquired in 2023.

Processing information:

Karen Meyer-Roux cataloged the portfolio in August 2023.

Physical location:

Request access to the physical materials described in this inventory through the catalog record for this collection. Click here for the access policy.

Rules or conventions:

graphic materials

Indexed terms

Subjects:: Landscapes -- China
Life cycle, Human
Prints, Chinese -- 21st century
Prints (visual works) -- China -- 21st century.
Relief prints -- China -- 21st century.
Woodcuts (prints) -- China -- 21st century.
Wood engravings (prints) -- China -- 21st century.
Color prints (prints) -- China -- 21st century.

Access and use

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