ARTIST RESIDENCY CHINA — ZHEJIANG, no. 30 The China Academy of Art thesis exhibitions are extensive. The school provides rigorous instruction in a full spectrum of degree offering programs on three campuses. The school was founded in 1928 as the first art university and first graduate school in Chinese history. CAA is under the direct management of the Ministry of Culture. Despite the large … [Read more...]
China Academy of Art
ARTIST RESIDENCY CHINA — ZHEJIANG, no. 29 China Academy of Art thesis exhibitions, Xiangshan campus map The China Academy of Art is a world-class fine arts institute in Zhejiang Province, one of the most developed and wealthiest provinces in China. The campus is located on the outskirts of the capital city Hangzhou. The school was designed by architects Wang Shu, winner of the Pritzker … [Read more...]
Bus Trip
ARTIST RESIDENCY CHINA — ZHEJIANG, no. 28 My arrival in Shanghai coincided with a previously scheduled trip of Wang's colleagues and students from the Shanghai University Architecture and Painting departments. They graciously included me in their plans to view the China Academy of Art Thesis Exhibitions in Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang Province, a three hour drive north of Shanghai. We … [Read more...]
Arrival Shanghai
ARTIST RESIDENCY CHINA — SHANGHAI, no. 27 There are few more evocative city names in the world than Shanghai. When Wang visited me in Beijing, he urged me not to leave China without seeing his city. The first day was a long one beginning at 4:30 a.m. Wang's colleague Mr Li continued his generosity toward me by personally driving me the hour long ride to the airport. After a two-hour delay due … [Read more...]
Departure Haidian
ARTIST RESIDENCY CHINA — BEIJING, no. 26 The opportunity offered by the Inside Out Art Museum for an artist residency in Beijing fulfilled my lifelong desire to go to China. While there, the museum made no demands on my time, in part because the residency manager left her job the week I arrived. Everyone else in the museum was busy installing and promoting major shows. I alternated studio … [Read more...]
Hutongs & Sanlitun
ARTIST RESIDENCY CHINA — BEIJING, no.25 New friend Jiayu, who introduced herself on the subway using the English name Jessie while I was going to art openings the first weekend, offered to be my guide to see the oldest hutongs in Beijing on my last day in the city. Believing she was also my host meant she tried to pay for everything we ate despite our recent acquaintance, a courtesy pressed … [Read more...]
Houhai Hutong
ARTIST RESIDENCY CHINA — BEIJING, no. 24 Beihai North subway station entrance was the first place I stepped outside in the city the first week in Beijing on my way to art openings further down the line. Across the street an imposing antique building made me wonder what it was. Plastic wrapped young women sold tours in the rain. Identically hatted tourist teams disappeared into worryingly … [Read more...]
Beijing Fashion
ARTIST RESIDENCY CHINA — BEIJING, no. 23 China has had a developing market economy since reforms led by Deng Xiaoping in 1978 following the death of Mao Zedong in 1976. There is a wide variety of individual color and style in women's fashion. Clothing is plentiful and inexpensive. There are several trends in the city. Formal occasion dresses show up at all times of day in unlikely public … [Read more...]