NCPA exhibition highlights gongbi painting technique

An exhibition, highlighting gongbihua, which is a traditional Chinese painting technique known for its meticulous, detailed and precise brushwork, was unveiled at the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing, which will run until April 20.

The term gongbi literally means "fine brush" or "meticulous brushwork", which describes the highly detailed and intricate style of painting associated with this art form. The most distinctive characteristic of the style is its emphasis on precision and fine details. Artists use very thin brushes and often focus on intricate lines, textures and shading, making each painting appear almost like a finely detailed sketch or illustration. The use of delicate and subtle colors is another feature. These paintings often have a smooth, almost glowing quality due to the layering of thin washes of color. The subjects can vary, but common themes include flowers, birds, animals and landscapes.

A mainstream form of Chinese fine art with a long and rich history, gongbihua flourished during the Tang Dynasty (618-907) and reached its peak during the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127). This exhibition brings together seven renowned contemporary Chinese artists who have made significant contributions to the fields of academic exploration, artistic styles and creative achievements, including Chen Mengxin, Jia Guangjian and Liu Wanming. The exhibition showcases approximately 70 of their masterpieces.

These seven artists have dedicated decades to exploring the genres of the portrayal of people, flowers and birds, and natural landscapes. They have also made great efforts in the exploration and innovation of the painting techniques, themes and materials. While each artist has developed their own distinctive style, their works collectively reflect a deep engagement with life, nature and the times.

For example, Chen's work, Nu Ethnic Group Flower Festival: Life Like a Song presents a celebratory scene filled with numerous figures. The composition is full, with a rich backdrop of flowers and trees in the foreground, where their silhouettes are left blank, and the middle ground features figures, a clear stream, birds, and colorful clouds.

Liu's work, Clear and Far at the Lake, depicts a poetic, tranquil lake, where several white egrets glide peacefully in the misty, simple environment. The serene beauty of solitude and purity evokes a harmonious state of mind, providing spiritual comfort.