Exhibition of Artwork Donations from Yan Jialong and Zou Chuan’an
Introduction
Exhibition of Artwork Donations from Yan Jialong and Zou Chuan’an
Hunan, the birthplace of many patriotic heroes, is also the mother of many diligent artists, ranging from Yi Yuanji in the ancient period (known for his portraits of monkeys) to Qi Baishi of the modern time (hailed as “The People’s Artist”). With years of effort, the Hunan Museum has now established a collection of artworks from celebrities to artists born in Hunan, a number of which coming from generous donations.
In 2013, Zou Chuan’an, a Hunan artist famous for his flower-bird fine brushworks, donated 799 pieces of his own paintings to the Museum. And in 2014, 64 representative works of Yan Jialong, a well-known calligrapher in Hunan, were gifted to the museum by his family members, in fulfilling the artist’s final wishes. Over the past several years, the Hunan Museum has devoted itself to the collection, research and preservation of these donations. Here, the exhibition features 43 works of Yan and 63 of Zou, all of which marked the peak of their personal achievements, fully revealing the level of Hunan contemporary art between the latter part of the 20th century and the early 21st century.
Donations from the public not only enrich the museum collection, they also extend the boundary of the institution, furthering the development of the field of museum. This exhibition held by the Hunan Museum aims to honor the kindness and generosity of the well-known artists, giving the public an access to their artworks.
Highlights
- 听涛
- 婷婷风韵胜春华
- 天籁
- 翡翠盘承菡萏新
- 落日溶金
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Artist introduction
Yan Jialong (1928-2012), a contemporary calligrapher and art educator, was born in Lianyuan, Hunan Province. He was once a leader of art column of Hunan Daily, a professor of Art School of Hunan Normal University, director of the Chinese Calligraphers Association, chairman of the Hunan Calligraphers Association and a member of the Chinese Artists Association.
Keen on art and literature since childhood, Yan got inspiration and guidance in calligraphy from his great-uncle Yan Changrao when he was a little boy. During his secondary school, he was taught by Zhou Da, a famous Chinese art painter. When he entered the National Central University and later pursued further education in the Zhejiang Academy of Fine Arts, he received instructions from masters like Fu Baoshi and Pan Tianshou. His handwritings, varying from the regular to the cursive, unfailingly distinguished themselves with either strength or refinement. Long-term practice and research on tablets of Han and Wei Dynasties, as well as Lushan Temple Tablet imparted his handwriting with a touch of roughness. His works appeared in national-level exhibitions many times. Several collections of his works have also been published.
As one of the main founders and organizers of the Hunan Calligraphers Association, Yan strove for 20 years, greatly contributing to the influence of Hunan Calligraphy in China.
Zou Chuan'an, style name “Shu Jing”; pseudonym “Zhi Zhi”, was born 1940 in Shuiche Town, Xinhua County of Hunan Province. He owns multiple titles—member of the Chinese Artists Association, member of the Hunan Research Institute of Culture and History, a guest professor of the Art School of Hunan Normal University and a national-level artist. Before retirement, he worked in the Federation of Literary and Art Circle of Loudi, Hunan Province. Having dedicated himself to the research and creation of flower-bird fine brushworks, he has gained abundant artistic skills. His fluent language of the arts fully displayed by his unique combination of splash-color and fine brushworks, creating a new sub-genre of Chinese paintings. His paintings and written works have been transformed into over 20 publications, some of which are collected in renowned institutions at home and abroad including but not limited to the Hunan Museum, National Art Museum of China and Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts.
