This work by Zhang Hongtu resembles the Impressionist style of artist Vincent Van Gogh. The artist uses Western techniques combined with the traditional Chinese style of Shan Shui painting, which he describes as a "vehicle of philosophy."

Exhibit features works of Chinese artist who
mixes Western and Eastern styles and symbols

A one-man show featuring the latest, Shan Shui-inspired works by a prominent post-modern artist is currently on exhibit at the Yale-China Association, 442 Temple St. "Repainting Chinese Shan Shui Paintings" by Zhang Hongtu will be on view in the association's Bierwirth Room through Jan. 2, 2000. Hongtu is best known throughout Asia, the United States and Europe for his mid-1990s "Material Mao" series. "Zhang Hongtu's work is always humorous and interactive, and yet provocative," says Shelley Stonecipher, director of development at the Yale-China Association. "He has a knack for pointing out how shallow the powerful and important themes that shape our societies become over time. His newest exhibit at Yale-China is no different, though it does introduce a new departure in his work." In Hongtu's most recent work, the artist employs Western Impressionist and post-Impressionist painting techniques to recast traditional Chinese "Shan Shui" (pronounced shawn shway) paintings from the Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties. The result, says Stonecipher, is a unique blend of cultures in paintings that are "bold and large," yet relay "subtle, delicate and complex" messages. "When you first see one of Zhang Hongtu's latest paintings, you will recognize something very familiar," Stonecipher says. "If you are American or European, you will see Van Gogh's swirly night skies and bold three-dimensional strokes, Monet's blurry gardens or Cezanne's blocks of color. If you are Chinese, you see the balance of all the images of traditional Shan Shui paintings -- elongated vertical compositions of sky, mountain and then water falling down into a winding stream past a humble scholar's hut tucked into the trees. These motifs and styles are universally recognizable, and immediately conjure within our subconscious a sense of cultural awareness. "Yet, to Chinese and American viewers alike, something in these paintings makes us stop and look a little closer, before realizing Zhang is mixing symbols and styles from different cultures. Chinese and Americans react similarly to these paintings, and yet we're picking up opposite cues. We stop, rethink our assumptions and begin to see something familiar through another culture's lens." Hongtu describes Shan Shui painting as "a kind of painting which goes against the common definition of what a painting is. Shan Shui painting refutes color, light and shadow and personal brushwork. [It] is not an open window for the viewer's eye; it is an object for the viewer's mind. Shan Shui painting is more like a vehicle of philosophy." Hongtu graduated from the Central Academy of Arts and Crafts in Beijing in 1969, and studied at the Art Students League in New York from 1982 to 1986. He has exhibited in China, Europe and the United States. His work is included in the permanent collections of the National Museum of Art (China), The World Bank, the Art Students League of New York, Adams House at Harvard University, the New Museum of Contemporary Art in New York, the Bronx Museum of the Arts, and the Islip Art Museum. The exhibit is free and open to the public Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. For further information, call the Yale-China Assocation at 432-0880. T H I SW E E K ' SS T O R I E S Women with breast cancer genes risk relapse with conservative therapies Ex-Secretary of State describes greatest foreign policy challenges facing the U.S. Researchers discover animals will shun others with infectious diseases Exhibit will offer Yale community a peek at libraries' treasures HHS Secretary to talk about Medicare, privacy issues NY governor, UPenn president are year's first Chubb Fellows Solicitor General Waxman to speak at Law Reunion Conference to explore 'dilemma' over use of cost-benefit analysis to make policy decisions Headstone dedication will highlight Divinity Convocation Goethe's contributions to science, modern culture celebrated Grant supports STAR program to promote success in sciences Scientists studying how animals move in perfect tandem Two-part sculpture coming together for first time at Yale center Human figure and landscape explored in Asian art exhibit Exhibit features works of Chinese artist who mixes Western and Eastern styles and symbols Yale hosts day-long conference on Asian studies Stalin's secret plans to invade Alaska among topics discussed at international conference . . . Yale launching annual United Way fundraising drive Series focuses on slavery in early U.S. and the Middle Ages Drug for glaucoma will be tested in clinical trial at the medical school Medical program will focus on topic of breast cancer German scholar to speak to local Humboldt chapter members . . . In the News . . . Campus Notes Bulletin Home|Visiting on Campus| Calendar of Events|Bulletin Board Classified Ads|Search Archives|Production Schedule|Bulletin Staff Public Affairs Home|News Releases| E-Mail Us|Yale Home Page