On June 30, Beijing time, news came from Paris, France, that the winners of the 160th Paris International Art Salon Exhibition were announced.
Chen Qi, an artist from Shanghai, China, won the "Highest Honor Award of the Jury of the French National Society of Fine Arts" at the 160th Salon des Artes Internationale des Beaux-Arts in Paris, France. This is the first time in half a century that a Shanghai painter has won the highest honor of the salon.
Previously, selected by the Shanghai Chen Qi Culture and Art Foundation, the primary selection of the China District Organizing Committee and the re-selection of the Paris International Art Salon Exhibition Jury in France, Chen Qi's three ink and wash freehand works "Step by Step Golden Lotus", "Double Dragon Drama and Grenade" and "Only Peony True National Color" stood out from tens of thousands of alternative artworks around the world. Mr. Chen Qi was invited to France to attend the opening ceremony and award ceremony of the salon exhibition.
It is reported that the three ink scrolls shortlisted by Chen Qi this time are inspired by Chinese official kiln porcelain, and after interpreting the shape, texture, color and content of porcelain, the theme creation will be carried out again. Three ink and wash paintings, each 2.1 meters high and 0.6 meters wide, are arranged in a row and displayed side by side.
"Step by Step Golden Lotus" takes the lotus flower as the protagonist, inspired by the Chinese mythological allusion "Seven Steps to Grow Lotus", seven blooming golden lotus flowers bloom in turn from top to bottom in the picture, implying that the lotus is born step by step, and the fairy rhyme and chivalrous style are aroused.
The pomegranate, the protagonist of "Double Dragon Pomegranate", means many sons and blessings, auspicious wishes, and also means that 56 ethnic groups are closely united.
"Only the Peony is the True National Color" chooses the national flower peony as the visual subject, but changes the strong and realistic expression of its predecessors, and adopts the artistic language of literati painting and contemporary freehand style to express it.
During their exhibition in the Orangerie Hall of the Senate in Paris (Jardin du Luxembourg), these three works became the focus of discussion among many French professional audiences. Traditional Chinese freehand ink painting has taken a big step forward in contemporary times, from the selection of materials, mounting, materials, compositions to subject matter, it contains profound oriental philosophical thoughts. These three works, along with more than 20 other Chinese shortlisted works, together show the charm of Chinese art to French audiences.
The year 2024 marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France, coinciding with the 160th edition of the Paris International Art Salon. Founded in Paris in 1864, the Paris International Art Salon Exhibition is one of the most famous large-scale comprehensive art exhibitions in the world, and it is also an international event integrating exhibition and academics.
Chen Qi (second from right) Chinese and Chinese artists who have participated in the Salon and won awards, including Chang Shuhong, Pan Yuliang, Sanyu, Chu Teh-Chun, Wu Guanzhong, Zao Wou-Ki, etc., are all well-known art benchmarks inside and outside the industry. "The 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France is an important historical moment, and this exhibition aims to further consolidate and promote cultural exchanges and cooperation between the two countries through the power of art. ”
Text丨Reporter He Jing Pictures丨Provided by the interviewee