The French connection

There has always been a strong artistic connection between Paris and China.

Chinese artists including Xu Beihong, Wu Guanzhong and Lin Fengmian studied there and brought French painting skills and concepts back to China. Each of these names has had a big influence on Chinese art history.

Nearly a century later, Chinese artist Yang Ermin - whose distinctive style gives traditional Chinese ink-and-wash painting a modern touch - is rewarding Paris with his solo exhibition, titled Rencontre with the Orient.

Staged at Mairie de Paris at 130 Avenue Daumesnil until Oct 29, the exhibition also includes his latest sculpture works.

Unlike traditional Chinese ink-and-wash paintings, with strokes of different density of ink, Yang's new ink-and-wash paintings have bright colors like oil paintings. The only difference is he paints on fragile rice paper instead of durable canvas.

Many critics conclude that Yang must have been influenced by Western genres and artists because they see hints in his paintings, but the artist says Western art is not that influential on his work. Sometimes they are alike simply by coincidence and what really influences him is the reform of the society.

"It's the context of my work. The construction of art in this modern society defines the individual artist. "

Catherine Baratti-Elbaz, mayor of the 12th district of Paris, believes Yang's exhibition brings a brand new art form to a French audience. "Yang's art is borderless. The mountains, flowers and figures he paints belong to an artist of the world, not only of China.

"Though he adopts the skills and textures of ink and wash, his works present a new concept that reflects modern society by a noble, elegant and unique art language. We are lucky to get to know a new art form and an avant-garde Chinese artist," she says at the opening ceremony of the exhibition.

"The communication between China and the world should be deepened by more than superficial talks. I've been strengthening my art language, and trying to break the shackles of my mind. Freedom is the soul of art," says the 52-year-old artist.

Some of Yang's critics in China, however, still consider his work to more "Western-style". He uses colors in a way that makes them look conciliatory and not contradictory.

"That's what ink-and-wash is good at. It is hazy and implicit. We don't want to lose any of our traditional Chinese flavor, like the gentle outlines of Oriental faces and figures, or the faint aroma of tea," he said in a previous interview with China Daily.

xiaoxiangyi@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily Africa Weekly 10/14/2016 page22)