The Fascination of Nature – Paintings by Qi Baishi from the Collection of the Beijing Fine Art Academy Exhibition
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- show time：2015-04-23 to 2015-06-28
- Organizer：Beijing Fine Art Academy and Hungarian National Gallery
- venue：Hungarian National Gallery
On April 23, 2015, the Fascination of Nature – Paintings by Qi Baishi from the Collection of the Beijing Fine Art Academy exhibition was held at the Hungarian National Gallery, accompanied by the unveiling ceremony of the Hungary Branch of Qi Baishi International Research Center. The exhibition showcased 108 fine paintings by Qi Baishi from the collection of the Beijing Fine Art Academy. These works represented Qi Baishi's classic pieces from different periods and themes, allowing European audiences to learn about the rich and legendary artistic life of the master Qi Baishi. Qi Baishi was one of the iconic artists of 20th-century China, and the profound connotations in his art would further enhance the audience's understanding of Chinese art and culture. The exhibition was organized by the Beijing Fine Art Academy and the Hungarian National Gallery, with the support of Morgan Star Group. The exhibition's opening ceremony was attended by cultural leaders from both China and Hungary, such as Mr. Wang Mingming, Vice Chairman of the China Artists Association and President of the Beijing Fine Art Academy, Mr. Géza Sz?cs, Chief Advisor to the Hungarian Prime Minister, Mr. Péter Hoppál, Hungarian Minister of Culture, Ms. Alexandra Szalay-Bobrovniczky, Deputy Mayor of Budapest, and Mr. László Baán, Executive Director of the Hungarian National Gallery.
Qi Baishi's Artworks in the Buda Castle
This spring, the Buda Castle in Hungary, home to the Hungarian National Gallery, welcomed an oriental 20th-century artist, Qi Baishi. Maybe seeing Qi Baishi's paintings in this historic European classical building would make one feel a sense of traveling through time. The profound meaning within Qi Baishi's works harmonized perfectly with this grand art museum.
The Fascination of Nature – Paintings by Qi Baishi from the Collection of the Beijing Fine Art Academy exhibition displayed a range of works by Qi Baishi, featuring flowers and trees, birds, plant and insects, and figures. These masterpieces provided the audience with an opportunity for a close encounter with this artist. The exhibition also showcased some of Qi Baishi's sketches, allowing Western audiences to gain an understanding of the conception and creative process of Chinese painting. The exhibition venue had many details that helped the audience learn more about Chinese culture. For example, they could see the tables, chairs, and stationery that Qi Baishi used in his studio. His painting Make a Fortune was displayed next to a Chinese abacus, making the mysterious world of Chinese painting feel more accessible and natural.
The Beijing Fine Art Academy has published a book called Natural Interest Indeed - Selected Works of Qi Baishi from Beijing Fine Art Academy for this exhibition. The book is available in three languages: Chinese, Hungarian, and English, providing comprehensive and detailed introductions to Qi Baishi's art and life for Western audiences.
The exhibition received attention and praise from Hungarian audiences. On the day of the opening ceremony, many people came to the venue to admire Qi Baishi's works. The rich brushwork, meticulous compositions, and intriguing symbolism in Qi Baishi's artworks captivated and fascinated them.
Qi Baishi: A Century of Artistic Legacy, A Gift to the World
Qi Baishi's works were exhibited in Hungary as early as the 1930s. There was an introduction to Qi Baishi in the Chinese Art Exhibition catalog at the Hungarian National Salon in 1930:
"Qi Baishi was born in Hunan Province, China... His paintings possess vibrant lines, and the structure of his works breaks the barriers of Western imagination. His bold brushstrokes have become almost unique in the history of Chinese painting. His artistic expression is inexhaustible... ranging from meticulous brushwork as fine as a hair to expressive large brushstrokes. Qi Baishi's mastery of ink and brush is unparalleled in history."
In the 1950s, sinologist Mi Baizhu received a scholarship to study in China and personally visited the elderly Qi Baishi in Beijing. In the latter half of the 20th century, he devoted a great deal of effort to introducing Qi Baishi's art to Hungary. On the 100th anniversary of Qi Baishi's birth, this sinologist published a small monograph dedicated to Qi Baishi, which remains the only monograph about a Chinese artist published in Hungary to this day.
Qi Baishi's artworks have a natural and pure quality that touches people across cultures and nationalities. Whether it is the lament and compassion for the struggles of the humble and himself in his insect and plant paintings, the playful banter and criticism in his figure paintings, or the vast and open-mindedness in his landscape paintings, these works are all imbued with his genuine emotions. In Qi Baishi's artworks, every flower, every tree, every boat, and every person tells a story, capturing genuine emotions through simple creations. It is precisely these simple and sincere emotions that allow his works to be appreciated and admired by audiences from any country.
As Mr. László Baán, Executive Director of the Hungarian National Gallery, said in his speech, "Qi Baishi went through the most turbulent period of modern China, from the late Qing dynasty and the Republic of China to the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the War of Liberation. His life was marked by upheavals and displacement. However, what we see in his works is joy and happiness. He has left us with the most beautiful spirit of humanity."
This spring, Qi Baishi's artworks returned to Hungary as if it were a gift to the Hungarian people. This exhibition not only allowed them to appreciate Qi Baishi's outstanding artistic talent but also echoed a past friendship between the two countries.
The Bond of Art and Cultural Exchange
From January 30 to February 28, 2015, the exhibition titled The Age of Mihály Munkácsy: Art in Hungary at the Turn of the Century was successfully held at the Beijing Fine Art Academy. This exhibition brought attention to Hungarian art and realism in painting, garnering a significant response in society. Now, Qi Baishi's artworks would be exhibited at the Hungarian National Gallery, further facilitating a dialogue on cultures and arts between the two countries and fostering mutual understanding among their people.
This exhibition was accompanied by the establishment of the Hungary Branch of Qi Baishi International Research Center. By setting up overseas Qi Baishi art centers, the research on Qi Baishi's works in foreign collections and the connections between 20th-century Chinese art and European art can be enhanced. They can also offer a wider platform for academic exchange and artistic development.
As a representative figure of 20th-century Chinese art, Qi Baishi was a culmination of traditional Chinese art. He made outstanding contributions not only in painting but also in poetry, calligraphy, and seal carving. Moreover, Qi Baishi experienced the sweeping historical changes of 20th-century China, spanning the late Qing dynasty, the Republic of China, and the founding of the People's Republic of China. His art is not only a microcosm of 20th-century Chinese art history but also a precious personal record within the historical currents. Through this exhibition and Qi Baishi's paintings, Western audiences could further understand Qi Baishi himself, as well as Chinese art and culture, thereby continuing the story of Sino-Hungarian artistic exchange.
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Qi Baishi