On June 22, “Exhibition of China Realism Painting Sketches (Hangzhou)”, organized by School of Painting of China Academy of Art (CAA) and ZJAM and co-organized by YingZe Art and Hangzhou Jinlu Culture and Art Co., Ltd., was opened at the Central Hall of ZJAM in the afternoon.

Officials and guests attending the opening ceremony included: Xu Jiang, Vice President of China Federation of Literary and Art Circles, Vice President of China Artists Association, President of Zhejiang Federation of Literary and Art Circles and President of China Oil Painting Society; Xu Qingfeng, President of Shangdong University of Arts; Bai Renhai, former Vice President of CAA; Ying Jinfei, Curator of ZJAM; Du Qun, Secretary of the General Party Branch of ZJAM; Chang Qing, President of Zhejiang Academy of Oil Painting; Wu Dayong, Dean and Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee; Zhou Yan, Secretary of the Party Committee, He Hongzhou, Director of the Academic Committee of School of Painting, CAA; Professors Xu Mangyao, Jing Shijian and Lai Yuan of CAA; Guo Yuanchao, Director of the General Office of China Realism Painting; Zhao Jinjian, Vice President of Hangzhou Academy of Oil Painting. Some students of the Oil Painting Department, the Modelling Basis Department, and Affiliated Secondary School of Fine Arts of CAA attended the opening ceremony. The opening ceremony was moderated by Wu Dayong, and Ying Jingfei, Xu Mangyao, Xu Qingfeng and Xu Jiang delivered speeches. He Hongzhou delivered a speech and announced the opening of the exhibition, which will be closed on July 7.

Xu Jiang, Vice President of China Federation of Literary and Art Circles, Vice President of China Artists Association, President of Zhejiang Federation of Literary and Art Circles and President of China Oil Painting Society, delivering a speech

President Xu Jiang firstly congratulated on the successful opening of the “Exhibition of China Realism Painting Sketches (Hangzhou)”. He noted that sketches are very important to art. He said that this exhibition represents a group of Chinese realistic painting elites showing their “cards” to the audience all over the country from which a glimpse of their superior painting abilities, their attainments, their understanding of art and, more importantly, their spiritual state can be caught.

Xu Jiang emphasized in his speech that the sketches of Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci are not only paintings, but also depictions of the spirit of all mankind - the spirit of liberation and the confidence expressed in painting during the Renaissance. Sketch has profound implication. “Diction and meanings are fundamental to writing.” (Quoted from The Literary Mind and the Carving of Dragons). This is also true in painting. “Diction is based on correct interpretations, and meanings are clarified through correct reasoning.” (Ibid) Language has to be constantly refined to reveal the spiritual state behind it. A painter’s lifelong inner attainment can be expressed by his or her sketches. This is the “interpreting” and “reasoning” process. Xu Jiang said that this exhibition represents the reality of “China Realism Painting” and provides a good communication opportunity for painters and students in Hangzhou.

Xu Qingfeng, President of Shangdong University of Arts, delivering a speech

President Xu Qingfeng said that the successful opening of the Exhibition of China Realism Painting Sketches (Hangzhou) in Zhejiang as part of its national tour could not have been possible without the efforts of CAA and ZJAM. The blueprint for China to develop to be a cultural powerhouse has already been rolled out, and the painting art as part of this blueprint calls for contributions from younger generation painters graduating from art schools. He stressed that recognizing younger generation painters matters most. The core of realism painting is not only naturalism, but also the unique aesthetic feelings of painters. Each painting is a medium of self-expression for the painter. He hoped that the exhibition will bring inspiration and provide examples for the younger generation.

Ying Jinfei, Curator of ZJAM, delivering a speech

Curator Ying Jinfei indicated that the meaning of sketching is often under debate in this digital era, when ChatGPT and AR technology are developing rapidly, and that the organization of this exhibition shows the attitude of ZJAM. This exhibition, as well as the incoming “Why Sketching - Research Exhibition of Collected Sketching Art” that ZJAM will host on July 12 as part of the Collection Exhibition Season sponsored by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, is a response to many problems that have emerged now. Ying Jinfei said that sketching is not only the foundation of the modeling art, but also depicts the thought, cognitive level and worldview of a painter and represents a life philosophy. He expected such exhibition system to further expand, from oil painters to artists of Chinese painting, printmaking, sculpture and other kinds of paintings. He also said that sketching is nowadays particularly important.

Professor Xu Mangyao of CAA delivering a speech

Professor Xu Mangyao said in his speech that the exhibition is the first pure sketch exhibition for China Realism Painting and the exhibition venue in Hangzhou makes it very meaningful. He recalled how he, as s student, moved from all-factor sketching training to creation and how he began to focus on conveying spirit through form for that matter. He emphasized that modeling is not only the basis of sketching, but also the basis of all paintings. This exhibition of realism sketching paintings in Hangzhou provides a valuable opportunity for an in-depth exchanges with painters in Zhejiang.

He Hongzhou, Director of the Academic Committee of School of Painting, CAA, delivering a speech and announcing the opening of the ceremony

In his speech, Professor He Hongzhou expressed his gratitude to ZJAM, YingZe Art and Jinlu Culture for their strong support, and he also showed sincere respect to President Xu Jiang, President Xu Qingfeng and other guests for their presence. He said that sketching is a painting process throughout the life of artists, which is the implication that this exhibition tries to convey.

Wu Dayong, Dean and Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee, School of Painting Art, China Academy of Art, presided over the opening ceremony.

A group photo of the guests at the opening ceremony

At the opening ceremony

Visitors watching the exhibition