Loan Exhibition of Modern Chinese Painting
3 June to 2 July 1967
Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, Edinburgh
Curated by the founding keeper of the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, Douglas Hall (1926-2019), this Loan Exhibition of Modern Chinese Painting aimed to cast a spotlight on a form of art often overlooked in Scotland, although it can only offer an incomplete glimpse into a multifaceted subject. When the term “modern” is associated with the history of Chinese art, it may not resonate with the Western interpretation. Either from the perspective of the government of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) or avant-garde Chinese artists based in the West, the works exhibited may not be seen as “modern”.
Some of the exhibits might even be viewed as unacceptable by the Communist authorities. Up until the later development in China in the third quarter of the 20th century, the PRC government supported traditional ink-and-brush painting, often with limited thematic variety, alongside a style of Socialist Realism manifested in woodcut and oil painting. A few of the Chinese paintings on display, like those by Too I-ch’ing and Wu Tso-jen, were produced on Chinese soil in recent years with governmental approval.
When Chinese and Japanese artists began emulating European art in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, it marked a complete departure from their own traditions. The showcase focused on traditional Chinese painting, altered to varying degrees by the influences of modern life and new artistic expression in the 20th century. However, the present relationship is far more complex, as European art has since integrated elements once deemed exclusively Oriental.
In turn, since the early 20th century Chinese artists have been exposed to both the finest and most controversial aspects of European art, its internal conflicts, and its eclectic tendencies. Given that the ability to navigate different styles, or eclecticism, has been inherent in Chinese tradition, this adds to the complexity. Nevertheless, this loan exhibition demonstrates that some artists managed this delicate balancing act.
Learn more:
Hall, Douglas. Loan Exhibition of Modern Chinese Painting, 3rd June to 2nd July, 1967 (Edinburgh: Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, 1967).
Hall, Douglas. “Modern Chinese Painting at Edinburgh.” Oriental Art 8, no. 3 (Autumn 1967): 208-210.
Huang, Michelle Ying-Ling. “Establishing the Reputation of Lui Shou Kwan in Britain in the 1960s.” Arts of Asia 48, no. 1 (January-February 2018): 42-49.