An American in Brussels
Laura Robertson
CBN News
May 25, 2007
The title might be a little misleading- I only spent a night and morning in this lovely city, but amidst the government buildings, charming cafes, and grand museums, one small gallery stood out to me.
The
J. Bastien Art Gallery has been showcasing the works of a Chinese artist,
Zhu Wei.
Asian art exhibitions throughout Europe is hardly a new phenomenon; Japanese figure paintings were one of the strongest inspirations for French impressionists, and Chinese porcelain has adorned tables and living rooms worldwide.
Somehow I was still surprised to see this exhibition in Brussels, partly because I more often associate Belgian art with the old masters like Rubens. I’m not an art critic by any stretch of the imagination, but I enjoyed the aesthetics of the gallery and his work.
Zhu Wei was born on the first year of the Cultural Revolution, and later served in the People's Liberation Army. Rather than having an overly cynical attitude towards the Chinese government, he depicts paintings that are bright on the surface, but aren't necessarily what they appear.
For example, the picture to the right is part of a series called
"Utopia." At first glance, things appear bright and cheerful, but when you look a little closer, the faces have uniformly blank expressions, and everyone seems to be going through the same motions. The red color in the background and intricate flowers provide a unique blending of traditional symbols into a more modern theme.
I suppose in a way Zhu Wei's works parallel much of the global understanding of China right now. There are so many elements and complexities beyond the surface, which we haven't even begun to grasp.
Many of the classical elements are blending with those of the Maoist era as well as the outside world in order to create an entirely new composition that constitutes China today. I, for one, am curious to see the next evolution, and the way these elements from the past and present will shape the future.
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