A Tradition Redefined

Book excerpt: Drawn from the Chu-tsing Li collection of modern and contemporary Chinese paintings--the finest and most comprehensive of its kind in the West--A Tradition Redefined is the first in-depth exploration of the development of Chinese ink painting during the last half century. These extraordinary paintings demonstrate the reinvigoration of classical techniques and materials by artists throughout Mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and abroad working with distinctly contemporary perspectives. Illuminating essays situate these new works within the rich history of ink painting in China, revealing how avant-garde artists, schools, and trends evoke traditional and early modern Chinese art while engaging with developments in the international art world. With artist biographies and handsome reproductions of many previously unpublished paintings, this book is essential for scholars and collectors of Asian art as well as for participants in the increasingly globalized contemporary art scene. Distributed for the Harvard Art Museum Exhibition Schedule: Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Harvard University Art Museums (November 3, 2007 - January 27, 2008) Phoenix Art Museum, Arizona (June 28 - September 14, 2008) Norton Museum of Art, West Palm Beach, Florida (October 11, 2008 - January 4, 2009) Spencer Museum of Art, University of Kansas, Lawrence (February 11 - May 24, 2009)