JULY 2006 The Hot Wave of Chinese Art
Lily Pietryka

Chinese art is the hottest in the world art market today. Chinese artists are amongst some of world’s best academically trained and talented artists. The transition from a centralized state-owned economy to a free market economy in China resulted in the great economic boom that is happening in China right now. China is more open to the outside world than ever. New thoughts and ideas have flourished.

All of these are reflected in Chinese art. The newly rich in China now look into art as a major investment after the burst of the real estate bubble. This drives up the prices of the paintings by major Chinese artists rapidly and consistently, which in turn attracts more investors and collectors.

Du Pingrang and His Art

Du Pingrang is one of those highly prized artists. He is considered one of the best and most important Chinese artists of his generation in China. His paintings have won many important awards. They are collected by national museums and auctioned at the most prestigious auction houses in China. His works take you to a world of pure beauty, exuberance, mystique and peace. It was a privilege for me to spend some time and get to know this deeply intriguing and inspiring artist during my last two visits to Shanghai. It amazed me to see the amount of respect and reverence he gets from his fellow artists, former professors, students and friends. Not just for his art, but for his spirit and beliefs.

Du Pingrang

The following interview was conducted with him on July 14, 2006. It will give you some glimpses into the inner world of this amazing artist:

Lily: Can you tell me a little bit about your childhood?

Du: I grew up in a very remote village in Gansu province in Northwest China. It was not very populated because of its harsh weather and inaccessibility. I was the oldest of three children. I have a younger brother and a younger sister. When I was 11 years old, I went to a middle school that was 6 kilometers away. I boarded at school and went home once a week. I have learned to be independent since then.

Lily: What were your interests in school?

Du: I loved music. I learned how to play violin and took vocal lessons. I thought I was going to become a musician of some sort. I also loved to dance and act on stage. I was not really into art until my junior year in high school. I was fascinated when my art teacher did a portrait of me one day. I asked him to teach me to paint. That was the beginning of my interest in art.

Lily: Very interesting. All this time that I have known you, I never knew you were also a singer and dancer. I would have dragged you to a karaoke if I had known this when I was in Shanghai… Do you find any commonalities between visual art and music?

Du: Much indeed. It doesn’t matter what is the art form, the essence of it stays the same. My paintings are much like a symphony. In symphony, the sound, rhythm and melody come together and become one, harmonically. It is the same in my painting. The colors, the light and shade and the composition come together, harmonically.

Lily: That is why when people look at your paintings, they feel a sense of peace and tranquility. It is vibrant but peaceful at the same time. Nothing is out of order or chaotic in your painting. It is soothing to the eyes as well as to the soul. That must be it: harmony. Peace and harmony are things that we can’t fake. We can only express them when we feel them.

Du: I agree.

Complete text of interview >>