Wu Guanzhong

Since coming to Beijing, I've been trying to broaden my horizons and enjoy the burgeoning art scene here. I'm hardly an art expert in any sense or really that knowledgeable about the art scene in Beijing or anywhere else for that matter, but I have quite enjoyed discovering and looking at art not only in museums, but in the art galleries around the city. Though originally finding and visiting galleries at first was a means to an end to find something simply to do, it's proven to become a bit of hobby during my time here.

Granted, during my time in Paris, I was also very interested art. How could you not be, after all? It's Paris! With so many amazing and renowned pieces showcased all over Paris, it'd be a shame to not enjoy and appreciate it. However, unlike in Paris, where my obsession was visiting every museum I possibly could, visiting galleries in Beijing is a definitely a different experience (not necessarily for either better or worse).

One of the painters I've discovered while in China is Wu Guanzhong (吴冠中). Wu Guanzhong was a very renowned contemporary Chinese artist who blended Western techniques with Chinese brush painting techniques to create paintings that I find amazing. I particularly like his landscape paintings, especially those of the villages in Southern China.

Now here's a humorous story for you relating to Wu Guanzhong:

Last week, I was out in the 798 art district to see a completely separate photography exhibit, when I happened to stumble upon a gallery with many Wu paintings (actually, most likely reproductions) on display and of course, I walked in to take a better the works on display. As it turns out, the gallery had many Wu Guanzhong paintings/reproductions for sale, hence the exhibition. While I roamed around the exhibition, one of the gallery curators came up to me, started talking to me about how the paintings and how I could also choose form a catalog of Wu's other works to purchase, if I liked.

Apparently, to this curator, I looked like I had enough money to spend on purchasing a reproduction (the prices all seemed to start at 1,500 RMB and upwards). Thoroughly amused, I chuckled, smiled and politely took the curator that I unfortunately did not have the money to invest in a piece of art.
Never in my life would I think that someone would approach me about buying art, thinking that I even remotely had the money to purchase any. Even though the paintings/reproductions actually weren't that expensive as far as art goes, I still couldn't afford it. But I did like that the curator thought I could. Haha.
Anyways, if you have time and are curious, take the time to look up Wu Guanzhong. I think you'll like his paintings as well.


Articles on Wu Guanzhong:

• The Telegraph obituary (Includes an interesting portion on Wu's life during and after the Cultural Revolution)
  
• NY Times obituary
• Gallery of works