Ah Xian’s artwork 'Bust 66' from the series ‘China China’ showcases traditional Chinese landscape paintings of misty mountains, waterfalls, and wooden bridges overlaid onto a porcelain sculpture. These painted designs on the closed mouth and eyes of the sculpture reflect Ah Xian's roots in Chinese culture and heritage. Additionally, the semi-abstract qualities of the artwork give the face a recessive appearance, while the use of shadows creates a contemporary aesthetic. This fusion of Eastern and Western artistic traditions can be traced back to ancient Roman times, adding another layer of cultural significance to the artwork.
Through this contrast, Xian attempts to create a metaphorical reconciliation between the two cultures. This landscape is painted with intricate detail and precision, mainly in monochromatic tones, but with vibrant glimpses of color in the almond trees or windows.
Subjective
As mentioned earli
...er, the closed eyes and closed mouths of Xian's porcelain busts represent the limitation of individuality and freedom of speech in China. However, the meaning behind his artwork remains ambiguous. His limited use of color reflects his deliberate adjustment to this perspective and effectively conveys his conceptual attitude, which greatly influences his artistic creations. Xian suggests that by painting a landscape on a human being, we become one with nature. Despite our continuous technological advancements, this connection is rarely acknowledged as it often goes against nature.
The artist's artwork showcases the interconnectedness of humans and the landscape, highlighting our deep connection to our surroundings by expressing that we "grew out of each other". Before the events at Tiananmen Square, the Chinese people were willing to conform and accept authority. However, the Cultural Revolution from the 1960s to 1970s brought significant changes i
China's art creation and perception. This period saw a shift from a Pre-Modern era characterized by no protest art, adherence to traditional conventions, and limited experimentation to a Modern era.
Due to strict censorship in China, many artists sought refuge in nearby Asian countries where they could freely express themselves without fear of imprisonment. These artists found artistic freedom outside their country, enabling them to create art that did not align with the Maoist communist government's preferences.
During this period, there was a noticeable shift in art practices and uses. Mao's regime and the communist revolution dictated that only government propaganda was acceptable as art, while all other forms were prohibited. Ah Xian represents this lack of democratic freedom in his home country by depicting figures with closed eyes and closed lips.
Post Modern
Ah Xian examines the Chinese identity by artistically showcasing the connection between humans and nature, as well as confronting the differences between traditional and contemporary art styles. In his sculptures, Ah Xian designs the busts to resemble tattoos, emphasizing the enduring nature of an individual's cultural background and heritage. By incorporating Western and Chinese art forms into his sculpture, Ah Xian employs a postmodern approach to address his contextual concerns.
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