Edutainment > Art Prints from China

Summer

China Print
by Zhou Lu born 1973
copyright

Contemporary Chinese art has seen an explosive demand in and outside of China. Bidders pay as much as 6 million US $ for a painting by Zhang Xiaogang, born 1958, at international auctions in Hong Kong or New York. Art prints are still in the shadow of this booming market, although prices for some artists have risen up to 5 times of what had to be paid 5 years ago when we at artelino began to offer modern prints from China.

The Development of Modern Prints in China

The history of modern Chinese prints begins roughly in the 1920s when woodblock printmaking was discovered by Chinese communist and social-critical groups as a cheap means of expressing their message. Their example was taken from German expressionist artists like Käthe Kollwitz.

After the proclamation of the People's Republic of China in 1949, printmaking served mainly as a means of state propaganda.

With the economic reforms that began in the early 1980s, Chinese artists experienced a rather liberal era and an opening to the international art scene. Western printmaking techniques like etching or silkscreen became known at Chinese art academies.

The era of modern Chinese printmaking as we know it today, began in the early 1990s when Chinese artists had finished the phase of experimenting with Western techniques, materials and tools, and had finally developed a new self-conception.

Boom for Contemporary Chinese Art

The boom of the Chinese economy has implied a huge boom for contemporary Chinese art. It is carried more by China's nouveau riche than by foreign art collectors. Chinese art prints still play a rather unimportant role in the art market. For centuries there was no market for prints in China. And Chinese people do not yet regard art prints as serious art like paintings or sculptures. Also the social structure in China with a few very rich, a very small middle class without a social tradition and often without orientation, are not the ideal ground for a flourishing art print market.

Buyers from outside China are still small in numbers. But more and more discover the stunning charm and the new refreshing motifs of the best of China's printmakers. Prices for many artists have seen sharp increases towards the end of 2007 and with the beginning of 2008. And often prices are higher in China compared to international sales platforms like artelino.

Printmakers in China Today

For artists in China it is a matter of fame that their art works are shown to and bought by Western art friends. Therefore they do not mind lower prices. The artist Zhu Rui has given us recently a good example. We were asked to return two copies of a certain design that we did not sell for a reserve of USD 400 while the artist sold his last copies in China for USD 1,000.

Chinese artists historically were state-employed and paid by the state. Even today this system is still in effect for many artists who hold a post at an art academy or institute. Although the old system is disappearing by and by, the old mentality is still alive. Chinese printmakers were driven by gaining fame by showing their works at important exhibitions and winning awards and prizes - and not so much by making money, which was hardly possible for them in the past.

Ten Selected Chinese Art Prints

On this page we show you ten selected art prints that are among our favorites among our recent discoveries. The artists are either well-established, leading Chinese print makers or young and promising artists. All prints are from small editions and in our view strong candidates for rising prices.

When you click on the image, you will get more information about the artist or the art work.

The 10 China prints shown were all sold. But if you are interested or have any questions, please contact us. At the time of the publication of this page we have other designs by the same artists and of one or two designs even a copy left.

Dieter Wanczura
(June 2008)

Growing Up - Fang Fang - by Zhang Biao

Zhang Biao born 1971
Growing up - Fang Fang
copyright Zhang Biao born 1971

The etching Growing up - Fang Fang is the continuance of Zhang Biao's depiction of his daughter "Fang Fang". In this image she is eight years old. The first etching "Fang Fang" won the outstanding prize of the 17th National Print Exhibition of China. And now this second print won the outstanding prize at the 18th National Printmaking Exhibition in Shanghai.

We at artelino consider this print a milestone in modern Chinese printmaking.

Dated: July 2007
Medium/Technique: Etching.
Edition Size: 25

Reserve: USD 1,000
Highest: Bid USD 2,500

My Villagers No. 5 - by Shi Yanqing born 1979

My Villagers No. 5
by Shi Yanqing born 1979
copyright Shi Yanqing

In the series My Villagers Shi Yanqing portrays people from his hometown. Though they are very different, they are all united by their smile and a simple gesture, a hand held over one eye.

Dated: March 2006.
Medium/Technique: Reduction woodblock print.
Edition Size: 8

Reserve: USD 600
Highest Bid: USD 900

The Faraway Sparrow Sounds - Sinead - by Wen Mujiang born 1970

The Faraway Sparrow Sounds - Sinead
Wen Mujiang born 1970
copyright Wen Mujiang

Wen Mujiang tries to provoke his viewers to think about the cultural shock that the modern civilization brought to the traditional culture. The sound of the sparrow, the "leitmotiv" of his best known print series, stands for the old culture and for the preservation of a natural environment.

Wen Mujiang expresses his wish that one day the sound of the sparrow will appear even among the high buildings and busy cities and let people pay more attention to traditional cultural values.

Dated: 2002
Medium/Technique: Woodcut.
Edition Size: 5

Reserve: USD 440
Highest: Bid USD 850

Wa Nationality - No. 2 - by Zhuang Yanjun born 1981

Wa Nationality - No. 2
by Zhuang Yanjun born 1981
copyright Zhuang Yanjun

The subject of this print was taken from the Wa ethnic group in Yunnan. The artist gave us the following description:

"The Wa nationality is located at the borderline of Burma and China. It took me 2 days by train from Kunming city (the capital of Yunnan province) to there. I lived in a local village for about 10 days, and was deeply touched by the strong style of their nationality. Women there like being hooded and wear silver accouterment. I remenber the days that were always filled by strong light. So I used light and shadow in this series."

Dated: September 2007.
Medium/Technique: Reduction woodblock print.
Edition Size: 23

Reserve: USD 550
Highest Bid: USD 800

Cross Section No. 7 - Purity - by Zhu Jianxiang born 1975

Cross Section No. 7 - Purity
by Zhu Jianxiang born 1975
copyright Zhu Jianxiang

The girl shown is from the Miao nationality. They live in the west of Hunan province, the artist's homeland, and in the south-east of Guizhou province. The girl is dressed for a great occasion like a marriages or an important festival. Zhu Jianxiang told us that the printing process for this and similar prints of his is extremely demanding. It needs high technical skill. He can get only one good copy from 5 or 6 impression attempts.

Dated: 2007.1
Medium/Technique: Woodblock print.
Edition Size: 52

Reserve: USD 600
Highest Bid: USD 850

Learning Chinese Gongfu - by Su Yansheng born 1961

Learning Chinese Gongfu
by Su Yansheng born 1961
copyright Su Yansheng

In 1998 this print won the golden prize of Ningxia Art Exhibition (China). And in 1999 this print won the golden prize of the 2nd Art Work Exhibition of Chinese Universities and Colleges.

Dated: 1997
Medium/Technique: Reduction woodblock print.
Edition Size: 5

Reserve: USD 400
Highest Bid: USD 1,100

Strong Wind - by Yang Yongsheng born 1967

Strong Wind
by Yang Yongsheng born 1967
copyright Yang Yongsheng

This print was exhibited in the 13th Chinese National Printmaking Exhibition and is in the collection of the Jiangsu Art Museum. This work was printed more than 20 times to pursue the special delicate texture.

Dated: 1994
Medium/Technique: Reduction woodblock print.
Edition Size: 10

Reserve: USD 600
Highest Bid: USD 1,100

Tea Horse Road - by Zhu Rui born 1970

Tea Horse Road
by Zhu Rui born 1970
copyright Zhu Rui

The image shows a part of the famous silk road known as the Tea Horse Road. This part of the silk road served mainly for tranporting Chinese tea and Tibetan horses, which gave the path its name. The artist marked this print on lower margin in pencil with "out-of-print, colored woodcut".

In 2005 this print was selected for the 17th National Print Exhibition and was acquired for the collection of Guizhou Art Museum. In 2006 this art work was selected for the International Print Exhibition in Pusan, Korea.

Dated: 2006
Medium/Technique: Reduction woodblock print.
Edition Size: 17

Reserve: USD 600
Highest Bid: USD 600

Ideal Landscape No.2 - by Wang Yuhui born 1959

Ideal Landscape No.2
Wang Yuhui born 1959
copyright Wang Yuhui

The body of the well-shaped naked woman, with the blue colored landscape on it, is like the gate to a secret and mysterious world. In Wang Yuhui's art works women are often compared to flowers. And although he seldom shows the women's faces, we know, they must be beautiful and fragrant.

Dated: June 2004
Medium/Technique: Woodblock print.
Edition Size: 14

Reserve: USD 320
Highest Bid: USD 480

Happiness in my Village - No. 2 - by Zheng Jianhui born 1983

Happiness in my Village - No. 2
Zheng Jianhui born 1983
copyright Zheng Jianhui

The artist's Happiness in my Village series is an extension of the Village in Past and Present series. The image shows children wearing traditional uniforms playing and having fun in front of a modern city background. Their attitude to life has changed and that fact creates a life situation filled with energy and power. For that reason everything seems to be very funny and joyful.

This print series attended many important exhibitions and received awards - see the artist's biography for more information. Zheng Jianhui graduated from CNAFA (Chinese National Academy of Fine Arts) under the great master Zhang Minjie.

Dated: 2008.
Medium/Technique: Woodcut.
Edition Size: 12

Reserve: USD 440
Highest Bid: USD 440

Summer's Memories II - by Xiong Xiqiu born 1979

Summer's Memories II
by Xiong Xiqiu born 1979
copyright Xiong Xiqiu

Xiong Xiqiu is a young Chinese avantgarde artist who shows in her art prints the new lifestyle feeling of the young generation that was born after the end of the Mao Zedong era.

Dated: 2003
Medium/Technique Silkscreen.
Edition Size: 9

Literature "17. National Print Exhibition of China" (official catalog)., ISBN 7-221-07186-1/J.384, Official catalog of the 17th National Print Exhibition in China. Written in Chinese., - page 101

Reserve: USD 300
Highest Bid: USD 550

Grow Up - by Zhou Lu born 1973

Grow Up
by Zhou Lu born 1973
copyright Zhou Lu

Original explanation by the artist:

"The print Grow Up shows a boy with a Mickey Mouse badge. That is a true experience of those of us born in the 1970s. We were proud of such a badge in our childhood. The hand on the right is a symbol of Chairman Mao. That means we grew up with his instructions."

Dated: April 2005.
Medium/Technique Mixed media.
Edition Size: 50

Reserve: USD 300
Highest Bid: USD 300

The images on this web site are the property of the artist(s) and or the artelino GmbH and/or a third company/institution.  Reproduction, public display and any commercial use of these images, in whole or in part, require the expressed written consent of the artist(s) and/or the artelino GmbH. .