University Daily Kansan / Friday, November 18, 1988
11
Arts & Entertainment
EAST meets WEST
Oriental art work shown in Spencer
By M. Meredith Relph
Kansan staff writer
The strengthening of diplomatic ties between the United States and the People's Republic of China during the past decade has led to an exchange of artistic influences between western and eastern traditions.
One of the foremost painters in the cultural exchange, Chinese painter C.C. Wang, is the featured artist at Spencer Museum of Art through Dec. 11, Wang, 81, is a leading painter in both western and eastern art circles and has lived for 40 years in the United States, Chu-Tsing Li, Murphy distinguished professor of art, said that the influence of Wang's years that the influence of Wang's years had helped the artist develop his style, which had encouraged interest in modern art in China.
"He is very much respected by many young painters," Chu-Tsung said. "His work reflects a trend in China to turn toward western influences.
For Po'ster, curator of Oriental and Spencer, said that the Wang exhibition at Spencer had been planned for about two years. Wang attended the opening of his show, "Mind Landscapes," in October.
ences."
"That provides a real opportunity to study his work." Fister said. "He had produced a unique blend of traditional Chinese techniques and influences from the west. His work is very exciting."
Fister said the show had experienced one of the best attendances she had seen since its opening on Oct. 23. She adds, "I have a special collection of Chinese art also was being emphasized with Wang's paintings."
signed with the said Spencer's collection of Oriental art was strong, particularly for a university museum. Chu Tsung said U.S. museums had not gathered Chinese collections until the late 1970s, but in the past 10 years more collections of both traditional and contemporary Chinese art were being shown here
A hanging scroll, this C.C. Wang landscape is done in ink and color on paper.
nese art were being shown here. Tsui-Tsing said Wang's work represented a gradual cultural revolution in China because Chinese artists were virtually unknown until governmental ties between China and western countries were strengthened in 1978.
"Now, western culture has been absorbed selectively without losing Chinese traditions."
"During the 50s, Russia was the model for "China," he said. "Chinese art had been isolated for two decades.
Chu-Tsang said landscapes were a Chinese art tradition that involved strong spiritual influences for the Chinese people. He said that Wang fused western techniques with the Chinese to enrich the tradition of landscape painting.
Chu-Tsing said he and Wang had been friends since Chu-Tsing arranged a show for him about 25 years ago. Chu-Tsing also specializes in Chinese art and has written books on Wang's landscape painting.
Wang is a collector as well as an artist, and Fister said the display of his works included some of the works by other artists that had influenced him.
Other events have been scheduled at Spencer to supplement Wang's exhibition, including a film, "Climate Art After Mao," which will be shown at 3 p.m. Nov. 26 and 27 in the auditorium at Spencer Chu-Tsing will conduct a tour of the Wang exhibition at 3 p.m. Sunday after it will be a showcase of traditional Chinese brush and ink painting. Spencer Museum is open to the public from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
Landscape theme focus of exhibition
Fister said Wang's show was interesting and educational for KU students because it allowed them to learn about how the artist developed his work while viewing the paintings.
"When you can learn a little about the culture and the painter it helps you to better appreciate art," she said.
By a Kansan reporter
Two coordinating films, "Mystery of Stonehence" and "Cracking the Stone Age Code," will be shown at 3 p.m. Sunday, Wednesday and Nov. 30 in the Auditorium at Spencer.
"Mind Landscapes," an exhibition of landscape paintings by Chinese artist C.C. Wang is the focus of Spencer Museum of Art's fall season. The museum also has scheduled three additional shows that run through the end of the year.
England. The exhibit was organized by the School of Fine Arts of the University of New Mexico-Sante Fe.
An exhibition of screenprints and lithographs by Mexican artist Carlos Merida opened Nov. 1 and will run through Dec. 31. The show, "Carlos Merida: Prints," was compiled from Spencer's permanent collection and includes images of Mexican and Central American dances and traditional
A photographic show. "Megaliths: Photographs by Paul Caponigro," opened last Sunday and will be on display through Dec. 31. Caponigro is a contemporary U.S. photographer who has spent 20 years photographing megaliths in Britain, Ireland and northern France. His 75-photography show includes shots of the Stonehenge megaliths in England.
This landscape by C.C. Wang is in the collection of Yien-Koo Wang King, it on display at Spencer Museum of Art.
costumes. Merida's work shows influences of European artists, including Pablo Picasso. The exhibit was assembled by Teresa Valero, Overland Park graduate student, and a museum intern.
In addition to the Chinese art exhibit, the museum has planned children's workshops in which China's painting techniques will be
taught using traditional materials.
They are for children ages 7 to 12 and will be conducted Nov. 20 and 27 from 2 to 4 p.m. The cost for children whose family are Friends of the Museum is $5 a class. The cost is $7 for other children. Guest artists who will assist the children are Alan Atkinson and Wan Quang from the Beijing School of Art.