By Xinyi Li, EDITOR
Walking into the Chongqing Qijiang Farmers’ Printmaking Institute, it's easy to see that these simple, humorous and colorful prints attract many people. The farmers’ creativity displayed in these pieces of art deserve a thumbs-up. You will also gasp with admiration at the folk art inherited from thousands of years of Chinese history.
These works are simple, humorous and colorful
Prints of Qijiang feature with local characteristics of Chongqing have another name – the “Wonderful Works of Folk Art in China”. In 1984, the National Art Museum of China firstly invited these artworks to be presented at an exhibition. Since then, those prints have participated in the exhibitions or competitions in over 10 countries, such as the USA, Japan, the UK, Canada, and Italy, as well as China’s Hong Kong. More than 600 pieces of works have been collected by the National Museum of China and different persons. Meanwhile, more than 50 pieces of fine works have won various national and regional awards.
Pieces on exhibition
In 1985, the Department of Culture of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Artists Association, and Chongqing Municipal People’s Government awarded Qijiang District the title of “Home of Farmers’ Prints”. The Ministry of Culture gave it the title of “Chinese Modern Folk Painting Town” in 1988. In 2008, Qijiang District was awarded the “Hometown of Chinese Traditional Folk Arts” by the Ministry of Culture.
Also, there are pieces presented in the museum
Prints with Long History
These works enjoy a time-honored history. Ancient craftsmen in Qijiang region started to paint on tough stone walls during the Qin Dynasty (over 2,000 years ago). Therefore, it reflects the real life of ethnic minorities, including Ba people, Bo people, Pu people, and Liao people. It has also given birth to the exaggerated stone carving culture and art. With the historical development, Qijiang’s stone carving has been gradually transferred to wood from rock. In spite of different craft techniques, stone carving and prints have something similar in the line, pattern, layout, and carving, thus generating the prototype of Qijiang farmers’ prints.
People hang works on the wall as a decoration
In fact, the print derives from the wood engraving in the Ming and Qing dynasties. Craftsmen engraved pictures on the board and manufactured this kind of hand-made works after rubbing. Since it reflects local customs, it boasts a strong flavor of ethnic customs and vitality of life. The expression means have absorbed a number of popular local folk art techniques, such as wood carving, stone carving, appliqué, cross-stitch work, wood engraving, paper cuttings, and blue cloth with design in white. Natural color composition, plus the scenery depicted and the emotions are expressed in perfect harmony earns it high art value.
People are presenting their works
Innovation of Prints
The 1980s saw the rise of Qijiang farmers’ prints. And under the support and promotion of the local government folk artists, the print has absorbed, digested and infused the new elements of contemporary Chinese and Western paintings. Through continuous exploration and selected innovation, farmer’ prints achieved a great success, thus ushering in the first boom in history. In the 21st century nowadays, Qijiang’s farmers have made creative efforts in their works. A new generation of print-makers is thriving. They have built the Qijiang Farmers’ Printmaking Institute, as well as the Chongqing Creativity Industry Base, and found Qijiang Farmers’ Prints Industrial Development Co., Ltd. There have been the classes for the creation of farmers’ prints, to promote the development of these prints and revitalize the ancient folk art. We believe Qijiang farmers’ prints—the original national art—will have a brighter and brighter future.
The print has absorbed, digested and infused the new elements of contemporary Chinese and Western paintings
Source: Chongqing Daily