3 Things the Tale of Troubled Painting Mega-Star Zhang Xiaogang Teaches Us About Art in China. Chinese artist Zhang Xiaogang, best known for his “Bloodlines” series of paintings that feature hazy, black-and-white portraits drawn from Mao-era China, may well be his country's hottest painter. But success is not without its price. Though just 54 years old, he is afflicted by ongoing health problems, apparently connected to the stress incurred by being at the white-hot center of the art world's international spotlight. Today, an extensive profile in the Wall Street Journal details how Zhang has suffered two heart attacks in the past year and undergone two heart surgeries.
Told to quit the drinking and smoking that he took up to combat shyness and to reduce work stress, the artist has stopped painting completely over the past year, working instead on a new series of bronze sculptures. In Part, Zhang's Challenges Are Generational Zhang’s career has been shaped by the tumultuous formative period during which the Chinese contemporary art world and the market for Chinese art first gelled. 24 Views of Mount Fuji. Hokusai Katsushika was a prolific and influential artist of 19th century Japan, particularly well known for his ukiyo-e woodblock prints.
In 1827 Hokusai began producing his most famous work, the series of prints known as "36 Views of Mount Fuji". Another 10 prints were later added to the series. In 1985 Roger Zelazny wrote "24 Views of Mount Fuji, by Hokusai", for which he won a Hugo award in 1986. The story was inspired by the protean face of the mountains near his Santa Fe home, and on an abridged collection of Hokusai's prints with which he was familiar. Having read and appreciated the story, I became intensely curious concerning the prints themselves, and resolved to locate as many of them as I could on the internet.
You all know the drill - click on the small image to view the larger version. Image Credits Asahi Japan Collectibles Home PageImages: 1, 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 22 This is a commercial page featuring ukiyo-e images by Hiroshige and Hokusai, as well as artifacts and gifts. Iraqi Woman Finally Becomes Art Sensation At 75. Banksy Graffiti Superhero: 45 Great Photos & Quotes. Banksy often uses his stenciling technique to show contempt for the government which considers graffiti to be vandalism and not art. Photo #1 by Banksy The dreaded surveillance society. Banksy’s graffiti usually carries a message that is anti-war, anti-capitalist or anti-establishment. “Your mind is working at its best when you’re being paranoid. You explore every avenue and possibility of your situation at high speed with total clarity,” ~ quote by Banksy (Banging Your Head Against a Brick Wall).
Pure Banksy: The bad artists imitate, the great artists steal. Art work by Banksy, on the Thekla Social entertainment boat, central Bristol, England. Wikipedia says Banksy supports the following movements: Anti-war, Anti-capitalism, Anti-fascism, Anti-imperialism, Anti-authoritarianism, Anarchism, and Existentialism. Banksy art displayed at “Barely Legal” gallery show in LA. Banksy on Anonymous as was displayed at “Barely Legal” art show. Banksy Hits San Francisco. Steam roller warden. Water ink _ BDDP Unlimited and Solidarités International - UK on Vimeo - StumbleUpon. Japanese Fart Scrolls Are the Best Scrolls.