EVOLUTION OF PEASANT-THEMED FIGURE PAINTING IN CHINA’S 12TH–14TH NATIONAL ART EXHIBITIONS

Abstract

This study focuses on peasant-themed figure painting presented in the 12th to 14th National Art Exhibitions of China, aiming to explore the creative orientation, thematic evolution, and stylistic characteristics of peasant imagery in contemporary Chinese art. Through a systematic review and visual analysis of selected and award-winning works from these three exhibitions, the research examines expressive techniques, formal language, subject matter, and their underlying socio-cultural contexts. The findings indicate a shift from grand, collectivist narratives to individualized storytelling, with artists placing greater emphasis on the realistic circumstances and spiritual presence of rural people. The works show a warmer emotional tone and stronger sense of humanistic concern. In terms of artistic language, realism coexists with expressionism, while traditional brushwork techniques are interwoven with contemporary visual strategies, resulting in a diverse range of styles. The study concludes that peasant-themed figure painting is not only an artistic response to rural social realities but also reflects broader cultural concerns and aesthetic values in the context of China's societal transformation. It represents a key component of the realist tradition in the National Art Exhibition and opens new directions and possibilities for the development of contemporary Chinese figure painting.

Keywords: Peasant-themed figure painting, National Art Exhibition, Contemporary Chinese art, Image analysis, Value orientation