The rise and power of China's culture industry
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Folk artist in Luo Ping, Yunnan Province. [Global Times] |
Flourishing art scene
Chinese art scene has never been as prosperous as in the past five years, in terms of traditional art such as porcelain, ceramics, traditional painting and contemporary art.
The global economic downturn serves as watershed to divide the past five years into two parts: the first three years dominated by contemporary art and the latter by traditional art, as people rushed to buy rare antiques to hedge against a possible fall in the price of contemporary pieces.
After decades of keeping a low profile, the once nameless and even half-underground Chinese contemporary art began earning its reputation since 2006 with many Chinese avant-garde artists making a splash in the international art world. Overnight, Chinese contemporary art came to be celebrated with every single move of big names such as Fang Lijun, Yue Minjun and Zhang Xiaogang.
A range of solo or group exhibitions were held by Chinese artists in world-renowned art museums, including the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA), Tate and Guggenheim, which was inconceivable once for poor, unknown artists. There followed invitations from museum directors and curators across the world, and works of Chinese big names commanded stunning prices in global auctions, with the works of quite a few selling for tens of millions of yuan.
Along with the rise of Chinese contemporary art, many art districts, large or small, sprang up in cities across the country. Within these districts, artists live and work, hold exhibitions and communicate with one another. Some of these are even new tourist destinations. Also, museums, large and small, were founded and numerous shows and art activities held each year.
"So many exhibitions every weekend, make me excited," an art lover surnamed Li told the Global Times. "In recent years we have more choices besides the several State-owned museums."
The rise of Chinese collectors in the international market is a recent, noticeable trend, especially since the economic downturn. China's new rich bidding for pricey Chinese items of art made headlines at home and abroad. These purchases were partly investment but also motivated by the patriotic urge that these antiques should return to China.
The focus of local collectors was mostly on antiques and traditional paintings and, in recent years, there has hardly been an auction without the enthusiastic participation of Chinese collectors.
Art market expert Lü Lixin told the Global Times that, "No one can imagine what it would be in five years. The market here is growing at such a magical speed in China, it would be definitely exciting."
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