30 years of contemporary Chinese art

Fang Lijun's "98.10.1" (1998), oil on canvas. (Photo: Shanghai Daily) Covering 30 years of Chinese contemporary painting in one exhibition is a daunting task, but not for the Minsheng Art Museum.

The opening show in the new museum features 100 canvases painted by 80 artists who made history.

Most of the works in "30 Years of Chinese Contemporary Art" are on loan from private collectors, museums and art organizations in China. Some are on public view for the first time.

According to He Juxing, director at Minsheng Art Museum, the exhibition shatters the misconception that "the main collection of Chinese contemporary art is in the hands of the West."

"In fact, many of the excellent artworks are still in China, which proves the taste, judgement and the power of Chinese collectors," says He.

"Encountering these 100 paintings on such a big scale, the 30 years of Chinese contemporary art seem to unfold in front of the viewers," says Zhou Tiehai, the museum's vice director.

Some of the works are milestones, such as Chen Danqing's "Tibetan Series," Yang Feiyun's "19 Years" and Luo Zhongli's "Sky."

The paintings also evoke nostalgia in many viewers; one artists says he himself became choked up when seeing his own work and remembering what life was like in those days.


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