The values of the Chinese youth can be found in the art works by the artist born in the 80s, which the characteristics and influences of post-modern society plays an important role. The values also consist of direct implantation of anti-modernism and pluralism of the western social psychology. For post-modernists who yearn for nostalgia, they understand the role of technology in the modern society; and they try very hard not to naively believe technology is the solution to every problem.
Although post-modern’s poster like collage was often criticized for the lack of emotions, depths and meanings, and lack of conception of history and cognitive map, the contemporary artists who embrace consumerism can still soothe people’s mind in this bustling and disordered art scene. Wu Zhengyan has transformed the scenery of ancient literati, who walked amongst mountains and rivers with footboys on his side, into a comical, trivial events or conflict. Her creation did not show any defiance, complaint or offence, but rather she absorbs the elements of her trivial memories, slowly and carefully illustrating the metaphor of new Chinese Literati paintings.
From the article “Another Literati Paintings” Su-Chen Hsieh, Director of Today Art Museum
The origin of Eom Ok Kyung’s creation is mostly created with Korean traditional elements. Eom finished her paintings with the style of folk art but it is not difficult to find literati painting temperaments in her works. In a more traditional sense, the style of folk art often appeared gaudy and decorative which is quite different from the elegant and lyrical of the literati painting style, yet in Eom’s paintings, she finds the balance between the two. Although she used a great number of Korean traditional gaudy colors and metaphors, the pictures are not without its elegance. Although she referenced folk-tales in her works, they are presented in a way that is poetic. The literati painting elements: amusement, elegance and poetic, comes together perfectly in Eom’s folk art like paintings.
The art of Eom’s changes drastically from a realistic style to a folk art, child like style. Her reduction of realism can be seen as a way to lure the audiences to experience the pureness and happiness represented on the canvas. For an artist who is rooted in realism, to change the style so drastically is a great challenge. But Eom’s work has a main ideal: her attachment to her tradition and her attitude towards life, which makes the change effortless, and makes her position in literati paintings a special one.
From the article “Gaudiy of Literati” Frank Lin, Director of Frank Lin Art Center |