Nostalgia for 'Red Art'

By Zhong Wei (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-11-16 13:33

On the 60th anniversary of the founding of New China, Beijing's major auction houses have launched a special section of red classics that reflect the history of the new republic to make breakthroughs after contemporary art created too much of a bubble.

The Nov 11 auction of Beijing Hanhai Auction Company in Kerry Center Hotel had a "Red Art" section, in which a large oil painting named Blood and Heart was sold for 6.82 million yuan. The painting, done by 66-year-old artist Shen Yaoyi, depicts the historical moment in Tian'anmen Square when the public mourning late Premier Zhou Enlai was baffled by the "Gang of Four".

A collector who declined to be named said that he joined the bid for these paintings not for investment but to recall that part of history. "For my generation, that part of history is in our blood and that will never change," he said.

Guardian Auctions will launch a special auction titled New China Fine Arts on Saturday, which will feature more than 50 "Red" pieces of calligraphy, oil painting, prints and sculpture. They include Chairman Mao at the Steel Mill by Jin Shangyi, former president of China Academy of Fine Arts.

Poly Auction will also launch a "Red Classics" section on Sunday with dozens of carefully selected pieces by famed artists including Zhang Hongzan, Tuo Musi and Ma Changli.