China’s Enduring Passion For Ink: A Project On Contemporary Ink Artists
Chinese ink art has long departed from the old-school of scrolls and calligraphy. Contemporary ink art artists are today breathing new life to this medium. In an unprecedented manner, top Chinese ink artists will open their studios to an international audience, via The Enduring Passion for Ink with Britta Erickson.
Few, including the Chinese or those of Chinese descent, understand ink art beyond its aesthetic qualities. Adding to that, the art market has been flooded with works of varying quality, adding to the challenge of differentiating the gems from the chaff.
In response, The Enduring Passion for Ink hoped to familiarise audiences from both the East and West, by asking: Why did the artist choose ink as a medium? How is ink’s expressive range distinct from that of other artistic media? How does the artist go about creating an ink work? How does the artist approach issues such as tradition, creative innovation, and personal expression?
Artists chosen for the film showcase the variety of approaches, backgrounds, and techniques. These artists include bigwigs such as Xu Bing, Zheng Chongbin, Bingyi, and Chen Haiyan.
These artists are the vanguard of contemporary art production internationally, yet are still grounded in the rich tradition of ink in China. And each naturally focuses on a separate salient issue in ink painting.
Even if their names don’t ring a bell, the documentary offers an intimate experience with these artists as their art takes form: the essence of which the art expresses transcends the boundaries of art, and touches that of all humanity. Chen Haiyan, one of the featured artists, works trance-like and describes her work as, ‘realising a dream, something that’s in me that is yearning to be expressed onto the wooden board’ – Chen works with carved wood block prints, and brush and ink painting.
Rapport and Deep Conversations
The level of comfort and trust between these artists and Erickson is apparent from the artists’ open-hearted conversation in spite of the camera — and makes for a large part of the documentary’s success in lifting the veil over ink art, via the sharing and art-making from the artists. Likewise, film-maker Richard Widner offers the perspectives and rhythm to the film, bringing the audience closer to experiencing the artist interaction first hand.
The beauty of watching artists in action and the unfolding of their art, Erickson reckons, is served by film; ‘there is something very much time-based, and can be so explained (and understood) only via film.’
‘By watching the artists paint, I learned many new things I would never otherwise have learned,’ said Erickson on what she found most interesting in making these films. ‘I wouldn’t even have known to ask questions about particular things had I not been there, witnessing the process.’
Contributing to The Field
The idea for The Enduring Passion for Ink came when Erickson turned 50. She decided she had to create a project that was 100 per cent her own – with no answering to a museum, gallery, journal or artist; a project that would have a significant and long-lasting contribution to the field, and one she was uniquely qualified to do.
Erickson’s background is unique. She was one of the first Western scholars to focus on contemporary Chinese art. Having spent several years working with leading American collector of Chinese painting in his generation, Jung Ying Tsao, she learned connoisseurship of Chinese paintings from the Ming up to the Cultural Revolution. With a doctoral degree focusing on 19th century Shanghai artists, she has the qualifications to understand, and in turn explain ink painting currently produced in China and elsewhere, in a direct and uncomplicated manner.
While these artists’ works may grace the walls of many top-tier galleries and museums around the world, it’s rare they would open up and share their thoughts or allow viewers access to their studios.
With The Enduring Passion for Ink, viewers get to step into the studios of these artists to get a taste of the breadth and variety in this burgeoning artscape.
For trailers and further film information, visit The Enduring Passion for Ink website.
Culture Trips launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes places and communities so special.
Our immersive trips, led by Local Insiders, are once-in-a-lifetime experiences and an invitation to travel the world with like-minded explorers. Our Travel Experts are on hand to help you make perfect memories. All our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.?>
All our travel guides are curated by the Culture Trip team working in tandem with local experts. From unique experiences to essential tips on how to make the most of your future travels, we’ve got you covered.
Culture Trip Spring Sale
Save up to $1,656 on our unique small-group trips! Limited spots.
