Why learn about contemporary art in China?

Because it is so exciting, so new, so constantly changing and so important!

And because there is more to Chinese art than Ai Weiwei (interesting and important though he is)

Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong are recognised as three of the key art centres on the planet and their importance in the art market and the field of contemporary art continues to grow. Taipei continues to develop as a newer art centre and some of the most interesting artists practising in a range of disciplines are working in Taiwan.

This blog contains teaching/learning resources on contemporary artists practising in China right now. It includes painters, sculptors, photomedia artists and artists who work conceptually, in documenting performance works,multimedia, installation and a wide range of other expressive forms.

It includes some artists whose work is well known internationally, and for whom there is already a great wealth of research resources. It also includes artists who WILL be well known in the future, emerging artists whose work is developing in exciting directions.

It includes images of their work, interviews with the artists, extracts of critical writing and questions that can be adapted for Visual Arts students at different levels, and for different curruculum models.

It is searchable, and will grow over time as more interviews are conducted and more artists are added.

It includes links to other websites, including my blog www.anartteacherinchina.blogspot.com and links to other useful resources in this field including galleries, publications, pinterest boards, video clips and blogs.

Newsflash: it now links to my main website www.teachingchineseart.com

Click on the 'About' tab for more detailed information about ways to use the blog, and about other resources or teaching and learning ideas.

Click on the 'Art of Revolution' tab for some background information explaining where contemporary art in China came from and how it developed.

Each artist has a tab which will take you to their page. Each page could form the basis of a senior Visual Arts Case Study. Two or more artists could be compared to form comparitive art historical or critical essays.

The artists and their diverse practices will also provide sources of ideas and inspiration for student artworks and bodies of work.

Zhang Xiaogang, Big Family, oil on canvas, image source: Saatchi Gallery UK

The pages on artists Hu Qinwu, Liang Yuanwei, Lam Tung-pang, Carol Lee Mei-kuen. Shi Zhiying and Pu Jie originated with learning materials produced as a result of the NSW Premier's Kingold Chinese Creative Arts Travelling Scholarship in 2011.