A Defiant Brush: Su Renshan and the Politics of Painting in Early 19th-Century Guangdong

21.74 $

Delve into the captivating world of 19th-century Chinese art with “A Defiant Brush: Su Renshan and the Politics of Painting in Early 19th-Century Guangdong” by Yeewan Koon. This compelling biography introduces Su Renshan (1814 c.1850), a revolutionary artist whose work challenged the artistic and social norms of his time amidst the backdrop of the Opium Wars. Koon expertly reveals how war and Western influence fueled Su Renshan’s iconoclastic style, marked by bold brushstrokes and subversive themes that questioned Confucian values. Discover an overlooked pioneer of Chinese modernism, whose art serves as a powerful commentary on a society in flux. A crucial read for art enthusiasts and anyone interested in Chinese history and cultural transformation. Hardcover, 248 pages, published by the University of Hawaii Press.

In stock

Description

As the Opium War unfolded in Guangdong Province, the painter Su Renshan (1814 c.1850) exploded onto the art scene with a bold, paradigm-turning new voice. A Defiant Brush takes a fresh look at this under appreciated artist in the context of a nascent Chinese modernism.

In 1839 Guangzhou shifted from a cosmopolitan trading center with a diverse art world into a place of violence. During the following decade, one voice of discontent and defiance rang outabove all others: Su Renshans. His provocative, uncompromising, and sometimes ugly paintings berate Confucius for his hypocrisy. He turned his brush trace into graphic lines that mimic the printed page, and he depicted women as alternative exemplars of amoral intelligentsia. Yeewan Koons close readings of Su Renshans paintings within the rich contextual history of art in Guangdong Province reveal how the trauma of war prompted a re-evaluation of social and political values and the moral responsibility of a scholar-artist.

Discover the rebellious spirit of a forgotten master with "A Defiant Brush: Su Renshan and the Politics of Painting in Early 19th-Century Guangdong" by Yeewan Koon. This groundbreaking work unveils the life and art of Su Renshan (1814 c.1850), a painter who dared to challenge conventions and whose voice resonated with extraordinary power amidst the tumultuous backdrop of the First Opium War. Koon's meticulously researched and compellingly written biography sheds light on an artist whose work has long been overshadowed, positioning him as a vital precursor to Chinese modernism. Step back in time to 1839 Guangzhou, a vibrant port city transformed into a battleground. As foreign powers clashed with Chinese imperial forces, Su Renshan emerged as a fierce artistic dissenter. His paintings, far from adhering to traditional styles, were bold, provocative, and often unsettling. They were a direct challenge to the established social and political order, a visual rebellion against the hypocrisy he perceived in Confucian ideals. Yeewan Koon expertly navigates the complexities of Su Renshan's world, drawing on a deep understanding of the art history of Guangdong Province. She reveals how the trauma of war and the influx of Western influence prompted a fundamental re-evaluation of Chinese values and the role of the artist in society. Su Renshan's innovative techniques, including the use of graphic lines reminiscent of printed text, and his depiction of women as intellectual and moral figures outside traditional norms, mark him as a true visionary. Beyond a simple biography, "A Defiant Brush" offers a fascinating glimpse into the cultural and political landscape of 19th-century China. Koon delves into the intellectual currents that shaped Su Renshan's thinking, exploring the artist's engagement with Daoism and Buddhism, as well as his critiques of Confucianism. The book provides invaluable insights into the lives and experiences of scholars, artists, and merchants in Guangzhou during this pivotal period. It explores the challenges they faced and the ways in which they adapted to the changing world around them. Furthermore, Koon's analysis extends beyond the purely aesthetic, examining the social and political implications of Su Renshan's art. She argues that his paintings were not merely expressions of personal discontent but also a form of political commentary, a way of challenging the authority of the Qing dynasty and advocating for a more just and equitable society. This book is not just for art historians; it's a vital resource for anyone interested in Chinese history, culture, and the impact of Western imperialism on East Asia. "A Defiant Brush" is a revelatory exploration of an artist who deserves to be recognized as a major figure in the history of Chinese art. The book contains 248 pages, published in 2014 by the University of Hawaii Press.
Additional information
Authors

Binding

Condition

ISBN-10

0824841034

ISBN-13

9780824841034

Language

Pages

248

Publisher

Year published

Weight

456

SKU: M-9780824841034-0 Categories: , , , , ,
Updating…
  • No products in the cart.