The craftwork from
artist Tamae Akimoto
Van Gogh spent his life struggling against poverty and probably
never imagined his work would ever command such high prices as it
does today. While not all artists have to face such dire
circumstances, real life is often cruel.
Traveling to distant lands is a major source of inspiration for
many artists, but a luxury many struggle to afford.
Now China is catching the world's attention culturally as well
as economically and many foreign artists dream of traveling to
China to see the scene for themselves.
A residency program has been helping artists from outside China
visit the country since it was first launched by Red Gate Gallery
in 2000. It's helped them produce fresh work, allowed them to
participate in local and international exhibitions, and even
enriched the local scene with fresh faces and new perspectives.
The people who initiated the scheme have recently expanded the
program to cover Chinese artists who live far from the nation's
artistic capital, Beijing. It gives them the opportunity to work in
a studio environment with local and international artists.
Sucessful applicants receive a small stipend, as well as a space to
live and work at Bei Gao in eastern Beijing, an area full of
artist' studios. The program provides six two-month residencies a
year.
The first exhibition of Chinese Artists in Residence is called
"Chuna' r". Held in August 2005, it featured the work of Shen
Jindong, Xu Wentao, Chen Yufei, Sun Baijun and Chen Wenling. It was
a great success.
?
(Xinhua News Agency January 22, 2007)
