Rethinking ink art

（China Daily）  11:30, April 12, 2013  

More than 200 ink paintings from 61 Chinese artists are on show at Beijing's Today Art Museum, showcasing the ancient art form in a contemporary context.

The exhibition, Re-ink, is co-presented by the art museum and 99ys.com.

"Re-ink is the re-creation of traditional ink art based on real life today," curator Lu Hong says, adding that an art form can never be developed by inheritance, but by creation.

The exhibition is composed of four parts. The first part features works from specially invited artists, including several big names and artists who do not usually work in the medium, such as Fang Lijun and Zeng Fanzhi.

"Although contemporary ink works clearly carry the character of 'contemporary' and are more or less influenced by Western art, they are completely different from pure contemporary artworks that contain ink-and-wash elements," Lu says.

Lu welcomes ink art made by non-ink artists.

"These artists have no burden of obeying rules. They bring new inspiration to ink creation," he says.

It shows that Chinese contemporary art does not only draw on the experience of the West, but its own background, Lu says.

"Such a crossover can also attract more young audiences," Today Art Museum director Hsieh Su-chen says.