The lives of artists in Songzhuang (4)

And Songzhuang at least is a place for people to paint. Luo Minli has been painting in Songzhuang for four years, interpreting "mystery in the east" via western expressionism. "It's so troublesome living in the city," he began. "City life pulls us away from art. This place is quieter so we can focus on our work. If I lived in the city, I'd be troubled by things which aren't related to art."

Luo's sentiments are echoed by multitudes of residents who have little interest in Songzhuang except as a place to create. As a place to sell, however, it's far from ideal. Chinese collectors visit more than international ones, but this crowd of China's newly wealthy is usually focused on traditional Chinese art. Attention from the west remains more progressive but the attention has declined over the last two years. Some people believe that the economic crisis has cut interest in Songzhuang, but others believe the main reason is less obvious.

Wu Jingbo runs a small gallery called Jin Mu Shui Huo Tu. According to him, the development of Songzhuang has resulted in less freedom of expression. In turn, "western art organizations have become less and less interested in Songzhuang."

Wu glanced out at the windstorm blasting at the gallery windows, the sky, hazy with sand. "The situation for the frontline of Chinese modern art," he opined, "is like the weather today."

Songzhuang
Getting there: From Tongzhou Beiyuan subway station (Batong Line), take a 20 minute taxi ride east to Songzhuang.

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