YE YUZHONG

PREFACE

Oh Gwang Soo

​Chinese fine arts have long remained veiled in mystery, But with the recent normalization of diplomatic relations between China and South Korea, they started to be introduced to Korea, though in small numbers. Quite a few Chinese art exhibitions have been held in Korea. Consequently, exchange exhibits have brought some of Chinese paintings over to the Land of the Morning Calm. It is also to be noted that there has been not only artistic but also human exchanges between the two countries.

​So far, however, the introduction of Chinese fine arts to Korea seems to have been fragmentary and tilted toward certain genres. As a result, it will take still more time for us to be able to understand Chinese fine arts as a whole.

​Painter Ye Yuzhong, whom I have the privilege to introduce to you, is one of China's leading modern artists. Until recently, we have focused our interest in Chinese paintings on those produced in Chinese ink, but Mr. Ye'sunique brush technique called Kungpi will give us a rare chance to see another aspect of Chinese modern arts.

​The strongest appeal of his paintings comes from his pure aesthetic world unaffected by Western culture and his search for a new way of plastic expression rooted in tradition. A close look at his career tells me that his pure spirit as an artist underlying his devotion to painting is the driving force of his originality. At a time when it is getting harder every day to find a painter with a pure artistic spirit, we have a lot to learn from him.

​Mr. Ye reached the eminence he enjoys today by building on the neat and refined technique of traditional Kungpi paintings. While his paintings are based on accurate drawings and decorative compositions. they are diffused with unique Chinese sentiments. His favorite subjects are humans and nature, but he does not confine himself to the real world. Rather, he often deals with historic figures and scenes in the distant past. That is why his works give the viewer the impression of being in a fairyland overflowing with poetic sentiments.

​At first glance, Ye Yuzhong's paintings may appear too decorative and be dismissed as such. But his accurate description of objects and the higher level of spiritual. Therefore, his works can be said to be both decorative and descriptive; descriptive and lyric as well. While the painter is very realistic in depicting every object, he breathes into his paintings sentiments that transcend time, evoking fantastic feelings from viewers. His meticulous description of objects leads viewers to look at every detail of the painting and understand it separately, but at the same time, its rhythmic unity creates a magnificent whole.. This effect is possible only when the parts and the whole melt into one through an organic composition. This cannot be achieved simply with artistic skills but originates from the painter's pure artistic spirit and unique aesthetic appreciation rooted in tradition.