At 10 a.m. of October 18, the Exhibition of Works of 15 Contemporary Artists, in the theme of “Go Deep into Life and Take Root among the Masses”, was ceremoniously inaugurated in the National Art Museum of China (NAMOC). The activity was jointly planned and organized by China Federation of Literary and Art Circles, Chinese Artists Association and NAMOC.

The exhibition displayed 75 pieces of representative works of 15 artists who have all the year round taken root in the grassroots, gone into the thick of life, absorbed nutrition from the great practice and colorful life of the people, constantly carried on accumulation of life and art, and reaped substantial fruits. They are Li Huanmin, Zhan Jianjun, Liu Wenxi, Xu Kuang, Liu Dawei, Han Shuli, Wu Xiansheng, Zhao Qi, Xu Jiang, Luo Genxing, Chen Jian, Zheng Yi, Yu Xiaodong, Chen Shudong, and Liu Qing. The exhibition also showcased individual sketches, opinions on artistic creation and expert comments. It showed in endless circles promotion videos on individual artistic creations. It also published albums, of the same name, of the 150 pieces of works.

To further implement the spirit of the speech of General Secretary Xi Jinping in the forum on literature and art, flourish art creation, promote art innovation, and praise and honor a group of model artists who have long taken root in life, emotionally attached to people’s lives, make images of the people, and obtain artistic achievements, Chinese Artists Association held an expert identification meeting to decide to hold a special theme academic exhibition for the 15 artists of all ages. They include outstanding representatives shaping the images of people of New China in the 1950s and 1960s, pioneers of depicting the national image of reform and opening up in the 1980s and 1990s, and great artists manifesting the images of people’s livelihood in the consumption society in the new century. They made distinguished explorations with their artistic creations for the modern transformation of Chinese painting, and establishment of Chinese styles and spirits in the imported art forms of oil painting, wood blocks, watercolor and sculpture. It is commendable that the artists have been consistent to take root in life over the years to go deep into the rich ores of art, and search out their own creation subjects to voice their feelings. They went to paint from life in remote countryside and border areas concentrated by ethnic minorities. They kept a close eye on the life around them, and gathered materials for artistic creation, in a bid to make observation in the humanism perspective and reveal the profound spiritual connotations of the broad masses of the people of New China.

These classic works marking the shaping of the images of the people and nation in the new period do not simply make an account of life, or depict label-based figures. Instead, they try to explore the rich implications of the images of people and nation in the more profound angles of history, environment, folk customs and philosophy. The perception of these images, beyond doubt, stemmed from the family backgrounds and personal experiences of the artists. In particular, to express the images of the people and nation in their hearts, they have for years taken root in them and had emotional resonance to share weal and woe. It shows that artists must commit themselves, body and soul, into life and with the people, to create works that have unique individual characteristics and vivid national styles and Chinese spirits.