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Walsh Library Gallery
presents

Politics in Art

Works on Exhibit
(Click thumbnails for a large view of the pictures)

Tradition and Change

Asian pride in tradition and a rich heritage make scenes of everyday life full of meaning and emotion. A deep sense of purpose and community give root to a shared identity. These scenes of times past charm us with their simple message and subtle nuance. Step back in time and look closely for those elements which carry forward in the dynamics of change.

Lee So-Ji

A Market Day, 1981, lithograph on rice paper, 14"x 128"

Kung-Kang-Su-Wol-Rae, no date, litho 100/80 rice paper, 15"x 15"

Skylark, 1981, lithograph 100/70, on rice paper, 15"x 15"

Needle's Eye, 1981, lithograph 100/89, on rice paper, 15"x 15"

Switch, 1981, lithograph 100/92, on rice paper, 15"x 15"

Bedwetting, 1981, lithograph 100/78, on rice paper, 15"x 15"  


Wang Zhenghua

Children Going to School, 1963, oil sketch on paper board, 10 1/4"x 13 1/2"

Zhang Hongtu

Ball Players, 1963, watercolor, 7 3/4"x 9 5/8"

Farm, 1972, oil on canvas, 5 1/2"x 9"

The Fallen Tree, 1959, watercolor on paper, 9"x 7 1/2"

Wind, 1963, watercolor on paper, 3 1/2"x 7 3/4"

Revolution and Propaganda

Traditional elements are moved aside in China as social realism dominates the artistic scene with the mandated glorification of the new Communist Party and its political leadership, especially Chairman Mao. During the Cultural Revolution (1966 - 1976), we see the rise of Revolution Art, which takes on a life and realism of its own. It carries the people to a new time where the politics of the past must blend with the move towards technology and industry to create a new and modern path.

Luo Gongliu

Yanan Political Rectification Speech, 1949-1950, oil sketch on canvas, 27 3/4'x 35"

Muli Tang

The Young Bugler, 1971, oil on canvas, 39"x 28"

Wang Yufung

Standing Mao, October, 1968, oil on canvas, 26 1/2"x 20"

Xu Wenhua

Mao's Children, 1965, oil on canvas, 32 1/2"x33 1/2"

The Soldier, 1979,oil on canvas, 21 1/2"x 17 1/2"

Love Your People, 1976, (Scenes of 1976 earthquake of Tang Shan City in background) poster, watercolor on paper, 21"x 32"

Study Hard, Prepare for the Progress of the Socialist State, 1980, poster, watercolor on paper, 32"x 21"

Great Progress for the Socialist Mother Country, no date, poster, watercolor on paper, 18"x 28 1/2"

Love Your People, October 1983, poster, watercolor on paper, 30 1/2"x 21 1/2"

Advocating Education, no date, poster, watercolor on paper, 20 1/4" x 32"

A New Freedom

As we look through the window of change there is an endless horizon. With the death of Mao in 1976 there is a revival of cultural liberalism. The push toward economic development brings an end to isolationism. By the end of the century artists looked to the world for inspiration and embraced artistic freedom in subject and style.

Zhang Mingji

Memory of the Window, July, 1994, oil on canvas, 24"x18"

Bacchus, Apollo, and Mars Hunting Together, April 1994, oil on canvas, 59"x 47"

A Tang-Dynasty Moon, Oct 1995,oil on canvas, 30"x40" 

Ai Xuan

February, 1984, oil on canvas, 30 1/4"x 30 1/2"

Xu Wenhua

The Dress, 1980, watercolor on paper, 32"x 22 3/8"

Best Time to Stretch Out and Fly with the Wind, June 1985, poster, watercolor on paper, 18"x 24"

Wang Zhenghua

Old Man at the Fire, 1988, oil on canvas, 31"x 31"

Nude, 1988,oil on canvas, 31 1/2"x 21"

Under the Sun, 1992, oil on board, 9 3/4 "x 15 3/4"

Cao Liwei

Herding in the Meadow, 1990, oil on canvas, 24"x 32"

Muli Tang

The Misty Li River, 1993, oil on canvas, 23"x 47"

Wan Kyun Rha Kim

Mao, January, 1996, oil on canvas, 24"x 18"

                                 
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