A Formalist Analysis of Shen Qing’s Artwork in a Cultural Context
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24191/idealogy.v11i2.1010Keywords:
art appreciation, socio-cultural, ink wash paintingAbstract
Against the backdrop of the diverse development of contemporary Chinese ink painting, an analysis based on a single formal aspect is no longer sufficient to fully capture the thematic expression and cultural significance of a work. This paper takes the 2016 ink painting Sunset by Anhui-based artist Shen Qing as a single case study. Employing a descriptive, qualitative case study methodology, it selects the work based on its cultural narrativity, richness of visual form, and juxtaposition of traditional and modern elements. Data was collected through on-site observation of the artwork, visual documentation and literature review, with the analysis proceeding along the path of ‘visual description—formal classification—cultural associations—comprehensive interpretation’. The study found that Sunset centres on the themes of elderly villagers and contemporary rural life. Through the combination of the elderly figures, traditional rural dwellings, everyday objects and elements of modern society, the work constructs a visual structure that juxtaposes traditional lifestyles with contemporary rural society. On a formal level, it comprehensively employs visual elements such as line, value and texture, establishing compositional order through organisational principles such as balance and rhythm. The study also clarifies that the relevant cultural interpretations represent the researcher’s reasonable interpretation based on visual evidence and do not directly equate to the artist’s original creative intent. This research demonstrates that a formal analysis combined with cultural context can provide a more comprehensive approach to the in-depth interpretation of individual contemporary ink-wash works.
Keywords: art appreciation; socio-cultural; ink wash painting; formalism
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