ZHONG CHENG

  • Zhong Cheng 2024 Autumn Auction「Modern And Contemporary Art」
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    LUO ZHONGLI (b.1948)

    Winding Mountain Road

    1988

    Oil on Canvas
    96 x 129.5 cm

    Signed Luo zhongli in English and Luo in Chinese, dated 1988

    Estimate TWD 12,000,000-15,000,000
    USD 375,900-469,900
    HKD 0-0

    Hammer Price TWD 14,400,000
    USD 445,131
    HKD 3,478,261

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Luo Zhong-Li is regarded as a leading figure in the 1980s art movements of "Rural Realism" and "Scar Art," and is widely recognized as one of China’s foremost contemporary artists. He has held significant positions, including Vice President of the China Artists Association, Director of the Chongqing Art Museum, and President of the Sichuan Academy of Fine Arts. His contributions have been crucial in shaping the "Chuanmei phenomenon" in contemporary Chinese art. Luo’s works embody a deep humanitarian spirit and a sense of historical gravitas, informed by a profound reflection on local culture. His art carries not only a strong social responsibility but also a philosophical depth and cultural resonance. The late Jiang Feng, former chief editor of the China Artists Association, even referred to Luo as "China's Millet," drawing a parallel to the French realist painter Jean-François Millet.

Born in 1948 in Chongqing, Luo graduated from the preparatory school of the Sichuan Academy of Fine Arts in 1968. He then chose to live for ten years in the rural Daba Mountains. In 1980, he completed his iconic work Father, a large-scale portrait of an elderly peasant, drawn with extreme realism. The painting depicts a laborer, not a political leader, showing the rough yet wise face of a man holding a water bowl, his weathered features speaking to the hardships of life and history. His gaze, however, conveys not despair, but a quiet wisdom and resilience in the face of hardship. Father shocked the Chinese art world, earning Luo the prestigious "First Prize" at the 1981 National Youth Art Exhibition. The painting marked the end of an era in which art was subjugated to political agendas, signaling a new freedom for artists to express themselves beyond ideological constraints. Luo thus became a central figure in the Rural Realist movement, cementing his place in the history of Chinese art.

Throughout his career, Luo’s art has focused on the simplicity and beauty of rural life. Known for his rough, unpolished brushstrokes, he captured the everyday struggles and joys of the rural working class. He sought to reveal the essence of beauty in natural, unadorned life, and to honor the purity and goodness of rural existence. As Luo once said, “I need experience to forge my craft, and I’ve always committed myself to depicting the lives of farmers.” His works convey the ordinary yet profound lives of the Daba Mountain peasants, expressing their joys and sorrows with careful attention to detail. He portrayed not only the land itself—fertile and rich—but also the simplicity of the people and their way of life.

By the late 1980s, Luo felt that realism alone could no longer fully satisfy his artistic vision. He began to seek new ways of expression, moving towards a more expressive style. His brushstrokes grew heavier, and his lines bolder. He introduced more distortion into the depiction of his figures, and the emotional intensity of his earlier works evolved into a warmer, more dynamic style. While his themes remained deeply rooted in rural life, the somber tone of Father gave way to a more vivid, even humorous portrayal of human interaction.

In Winding Mountain Road, we see a significant shift in his use of color. Moving away from his typical blue-gray palette, he embraced brighter yellows and greens. The painting depicts a husband and wife from two different villages, walking together along a treacherous mountain path after a day’s labor. They face the unpredictable weather, climbing steep, slippery slopes while carrying heavy loads—sometimes with children on their backs—and seeking shelter under banana leaves. Although the scene portrays the ordinary lives of rural people, it speaks to the strength and resilience of human life, and offers a quiet reminder of the importance of family bonds and mutual support. The characters' postures and expressions convey a balanced relationship—whether it is the husband supporting his wife, the wife helping her husband, or the child receiving care from both parents. The simplicity and honesty of these interactions resonate deeply, offering an emotional connection to viewers.

Luo’s rough, direct brushwork captures not just the scene but the very essence of life, making it easy for viewers to connect emotionally. The realism of his depiction allows the audience to tap into their own memories and experiences, evoking a strong, personal response. The simple clothing, muscular limbs, and sturdy tools of labor in the painting are all markers of the characters' identity and environment, suggesting they are not city dwellers but farmers, accustomed to hard work and the harsh realities of rural life. These figures become symbols of the enduring strength and resilience of rural China during its time of transformation.

Luo's focus is not on plot, but on the form of his characters and the atmosphere of their environment. This shift has led to the development of distinct artistic symbols, allowing viewers to experience not only the rural landscape but also the spiritual need to reconnect with nature. As one of the leading figures of China’s academic art scene, Luo Zhong-Li continues to be a dynamic and innovative artist. Over the years, he has refined his artistic voice, creating a distinctive style that blends the realism of everyday life with the emotional depth of expressionism. His work has become a key example of the unique fusion of these two traditions in contemporary Chinese oil painting, and his art continues to attract wide attention both in China and internationally.

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