Showcase for best in lacqeurware

Biennial aims to cement Fuzhou's reputation as a center of culture and open it to world exposure, Tang Zhihao and Hu Meidong report from Fuzhou.

The 2016 Fuzhou International Lacquer Art Biennial, held in Fuzhou, the capital of Fujian province, from July 17 to Aug 18, aims to strengthen communications between Chinese and foreign lacquerware artists, organizers said.

Themed "The Era of Lacquer Linguistics", the event has attracted 125 artists from eight countries and regions including Japan, South Korea and Vietnam.

Visitors will have the chance to view more than 600 works created by renowned craftsmen and artists.

Japanese artist, teacher and scholar Onishi Nagatoshi brought a work named Eyes of the Wind to the exhibition, which drew a large and admiring audience.

A masterpiece created by Shen Shao'an, who developed the Fuzhou bodiless lacquerware technique in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), is also on display.

The event was supported by the China Cultural Administration Association, the Fuzhou Lacquer Art Research Institute, Fuzhou Museum and the China Foundation for the Development of Social Culture.

"We chose Fuzhou to host this event because the city has an established foundation for lacquer art culture," said Zhen Yikun, the head of Fuzhou Lacquer Art Research Institute. "The presence of global artists will promote the development of lacquer art in Fuzhou."

Ye Youchen, deputy director of the Fuzhou Publicity Department, said: "The event will be a cultural and communication gala for global lacquer art experts and lovers.

"It will demonstrate Fuzhou's achievements in supporting lacquer art brand building."

Chen Qinqun, curator of the biennale, said the beauty of lacquer art can be demonstrated in such forms as the shape of individual wares and lacquer paintings.

In term of shape, both art pieces and everyday items are displayed so visitors can explore the differences between them.

With regard to lacquer paintings, Chen said China's lacquer painting boasts a long history which can be dated back to ancient times.

However, the lack of systemic reviews and the impact of Western-style paintings have interrupted the development of Chinese-featured paintings in the lacquer art sector, Chen said.

"We have to focus much more on Chinese-style paintings so as to create our unique terminology and value chain," Chen said.

Works created by 33 masters are on display so that lacquer art lovers can study the development process of Chinese-style paintings over the past century.

Chen said that works created by foreign artists, especially those from Japan and Vietnam, will demonstrate the importance of uninterrupted teaching and learning in supporting the development of local lacquer art.

Fuzhou, which is known for its lacquer culture, especially bodiless lacquerware, has long been committed to spreading awareness of the lacquer art industry.

The organizers hope the event can strengthen the leading role played by Fuzhou in developing lacquer art in China.

"The biennale is one of the most influential exhibition forms for contemporary art. It has the potential to grow into both a cultural program and a city festival," Chen said. "Biennales can be held to promote many cultural programs in Fuzhou."

Tang Zhiyi, a lacquer artist, said the event allows people to consider the future development trends of lacquer art.

"It presents all we currently have in the industry. Fuzhou has provided a rich education to visitors through the event," Tang said.

Zheng Xiuqian, a Chinese applied art master, said the event attracted many young visitors, which will support the future development of lacquer art.

A seminar and two information sharing meetings have been arranged so that experts can exchange ideas and discuss pressing issues and concerns related to the lacquerware industry.

Seven associated exhibitions also opened on July 17 in the Three Lanes and Seven Alleys Areas, one of the lacquer art demonstration zones in the city, and Fuzhou Airport, to expand awareness of Fuzhou lacquerware..

Contact the writers at tangzhihao@chinadaily.com.cn and humeidong@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 07/19/2016 page24)