Modern and Contemporary Chinese Ink Painting: Histories, Borders, and Values: An International Virtual Symposium
Modern and Contemporary Chinese Ink Painting: Histories, Borders, and Values: An International Virtual Symposium
Ink painting is arguably the most vibrant of China’s many national arts. Modern ink painting, from the early 20th century onwards, embodies the heroic story of constant renewal and reinvigoration of Chinese civilization through rebellions, revolutions, and reforms in the political and cultural arenas. More recently, ink painting in its multiplicity of forms, has become the face – both literally and figuratively – of contemporary China.
Rather than conceiving of Chinese ink painting merely as a medium, the aim of the symposium is to reconsider its historical, theoretical, cultural, social, and political dimensions. What are the ways in which contemporary Chinese ink painting embodies Chinese culture and society? How have indigenous and foreign traditions impacted Chinese artists? What are the multiple contexts in which these artworks have been created and circulated? The purpose of this symposium is to ultimately help us take stock of the present state of Chinese ink painting, and to re-consider the multiplicities of contexts, histories, boundaries, and values that have combined to shape its current expression.
This symposium takes advantage of the virtual platform to convene scholars from around the world, including the department's own Nan Zhong and alumnus Kuo-sheng "Grayson" Lai, curator of the National Palace Museum in Taipei. Organized by Professor Jason Kuo in the Department and the Mozhai Foundation and the Center for East Asian Studies at the University of Maryland, the symposium takes place on two Wednesdays in late April (20th and 27th).
For more information and to register, please visit https://mozhaifoundation.org/inkpainting/