Chinese scrolls and paintings, some dating back to the 14th century, are the centrepiece of the National Gallery of Victoria’s relaunch of its Asian Art temporary exhibition.
The six-month exhibition of Three Perfections: Poetry, Painting and Calligraphy in Chinese Art, which opens on December 6, explores the interconnections between poetry, calligraphy and painting in Chinese art and features exquisite paintings and calligraphy drawn from the gallery’s Asian Collection.
The works, spanning seven centuries, highlight the contrasts and continuity in traditional and current Chinese art. The exhibition will feature beautiful and intricately detailed traditional Chinese paintings using calligraphic brushstrokes on paper and silk, with works from from a number of famous Chinese artists, including Huang Shen (1687 – 1768), Wu Changshuo (1844 – 1927), You Si (1954 – present) and the work of Kim Hoa Tram (1959 – present) who is currently working in Australia.
The close relationship between painting and poetry in China dates back to the 11th century Northern Song dynasty when Chinese artistic expression underwent an evolution from formal representation to self-expression.
Scholars and scholarly-officials were taught the ‘arts’ of poetry, painting and calligraphy, which were used as intricate vehicles of expression.
Today in China, calligraphy continues to be regarded as one of the country’s highest art forms – with artistic and expressive qualities that are independent of the written words’ meaning.
Three Perfections: Poetry, Painting and Calligraphy in Chinese Art will be on display at Melbourne’s NGV International, 180 St Kilda Rd, from December 6, 2013 through to June 9, 2014.
The gallery is open from 10am – 5pm, and is closed on Tuesdays. Admission is free. ■
