September 23, 2011 – January 29, 2012

You Cuiqing
Spirit of the Han and Tang Dynasties, 2011
Porcelain painted with underglaze decoration

CHINA TOWN: Contemporary Ceramic Painting from Jingdezhen is comprised of 56 paintings on porcelain that highlight artistic trends emerging in Jingdezhen, the Chinese city famous for its thousands-year-old tradition of ceramic production. In recent years, it has become a vibrant artistic center and audiences can see how this ancient art form has been both preserved and infused with new life. Objects featured in the exhibition depict various approaches to painting on large, flat porcelain surfaces. Visual elements include abstract forms, geometric patterns, representational landscapes, and stylized portraits. Some recall classic Chinese painting, while others borrow visual vocabulary from European modern art. This melding of traditions underscores how many Chinese artists, working from a global perspective, look for inspiration from their own culture and beyond. Despite differences in their backgrounds, ages, and styles, the 13 artists represented in CHINA Town are linked by a common appreciation of the place where they produce their art – Jingdezhen, the ancient capital of ceramics.

Visit the Exhibition at Meridian’s Cafritz Galleries, located at:
1624 Crescent Place, NW, Washington, DC 20009

Wednesday – Friday, 2pm-7pm
Saturday and Sunday, 12pm – 6pm
Closed on Federal Holidays

http://www.meridian.org/chinatown