The Compliant and the Rebel

In China appearance is often more important than content. In Confucian philosophy one should keep calm, cover emotions and display a standard façade regardless of turbulence, individualism and rebellion one has inside. This can be seen in much of the art teaching in China: more priority is given to studying and faithfully reproducing classic painting styles and conventional motifs rather than individualistic, controversial, unique, modern or radical approaches to art. Perhaps the communist leaders consciously encourage such conservative ways, since radical art and radical artists often correlate with radical political ideas as seen in the famous case of Ài Wèi wèi.

Jinlin has produced many paintings and drawings during her comprehensive school, high-school and university times. Most show such classical styles and motifs executed with admirable skill. I have discussed before some of her earlier paintings, including a work that won a significant art competition, and here are some more examples:

 

While these are very beautiful and display great talent, it is also great that she occasionally makes more personal drawings "outside the curriculum", displaying spicy personal flavour and fire from the rebellion she is going through at the moment. Look for example at this wonderful beauty she sent me recently:

Quite a deviation from her mostly modest and prudent ways ;-)