Retrospective exhibition of the Lingnan Art School

Release time:13-08-14

Preface

Appreciative

Media

Foreword

In the early 20th century, Lingnan School of Painting, a school which holds the “art revolution” as its banner, was born in Guangdong where revolution atmosphere was hanging low.

The founder of the Lingnan Painting School, Gao Jianfu, Chen Shuren, Gao Qifeng were all members of the Chinese Revolutionary League, who followed Dr. Sun Yat-sen and experienced dramatic changes in the early period of Chinese revolution. With the noble political ideas and dissatisfaction with the painting form at that time, they advocated the "art revolution". Drawing lessons from Japanese Painting’s reform and putting forward a "new traditional Chinese painting" theory, they proposed and practiced the idea that "art should be derived from both foreign and domestic origins, both tradition and modern resources", which led huge influence of modern Chinese painting. 

The second generation representative of Lingnan Painting School, such as GuanShanyue, Li Xiongcai, Zhao Shaoang, Huang Shaoqiang and Yang Shanshen, inherited and developed the the founders’ art thoughts. Inheriting the innovative character of the Lingnan School, their works absorbed much nourishment from external sources and demonstrated a harmonious blending of Chinese and Western art. Their works broke a new way for Lingnan Painting School. As times go on, all of them had established a unique art style of their own which is both elegant and nature. They became major representatives of the Lingnan Painting School with great achievements.

For further study towards Lingnan Painting School, the theme hall is established for the long-term display of the most precious collection of Lingnan paintings.