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Chinese Art Forms

An important component of Chinese heritage and culture is art. Throughout China’s ancient history, its arts have varied dynasties to dynasties, and they are considered to be outstanding in all forms of arts. The various forms of Chinese art have been influenced by great philosophers, teachers, religious figures and political leaders. The Chinese art comprises of fine arts, folk arts and performance arts. Below are some of the major art forms:

 

 

Chinese painting:

  • Uses a brush that is dipped in black or coloured ink; oils are not used.

  • Medium: Paper, silk, scrolls, album sheets, walls, lacquer ware, folding screens, and others.

  • Chinese painting is classified by theme into three genres: figures, landscapes, and birds-and-flowers.

  • A Chinese painter must wield the soft brush with strength and dexterity to create a wide variety of lines--thick, thin, dense, light, long, short, dry, wet, etc.

  • 2 main techniques in Chinese painting are:

    • Gong bi (工筆) which features details very precisely by its highly detailed brushstrokes. It is often highly coloured and usually depicts figural or narrative subjects. Bird-and-flower paintings were often in this style.

    • Ink and wash painting (水墨) or "literati painting", was mostly practiced by gentlemen (according to theory).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chinese Sculpture:

  • Features complex patterned and zoomorphic decoration (representing animal forms or gods of animal form), but avoid the human figure.

  • Many ancient Chinese sculptures can be found, such as in the tomb of Qin Shi Huang.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chinese Pottery:

  • Potteries are essential wares in Chinese people’s daily lives, which are used to cook, to store things, and to hold cuisine or waters as dishes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Works Cited

ART, ENCYCLOPEDIA OF EAST ASIAN. Chinese Art. n.d. Web. 14 November 2015. <http://www.visual-arts-cork.com/east-asian-art/chinese.htm>.

 

Arts. 2015. Web. 14 November 2015. <http://www.chinaonlinemuseum.com/art.php>.

 

Chinese Painting. 2015. Web. 15 November 2015. <http://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/arts/chinese-painting.htm>.

 

Chinese Pottery. 2015. Web. 15 November 2015. <http://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/arts/pottery.htm>.

 

Encyclopedia, Compton's Living. Chinese Cultural Studies: Chinese Arts. n.d. Web. 14 November 2015. <http://acc6.its.brooklyn.cuny.edu/~phalsall/texts/chinarts.html>.

 

Farlex, The Free Dictionary by. Art Form. 2015. Web. 15 November 2015. <http://www.thefreedictionary.com/art+form>.

 

Sullivan, Michael. Chinese art. 2015. Web. 14 November 2015. <http://global.britannica.com/art/Chinese-art>.

Zhou, Ruru. The Arts in China. 8 September 2015. Web. 14 November 2015. <http://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/culture/art-list.htm>.

 

Zhou, Ruru. The Arts in China. 8 September 2015. Web. 14 November 2015. <http://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/culture/art-list.htm>.

 

 

 

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