The Insiders
- Source: Global Times
- [03:59 April 18 2011]
- Comments
Zhang Zenglou at work.
By Yue Hongyan
As China's art markets show unprecedented strength, the search for ancient valuables has sent items such as the inside-painted bottle surging in value. Such bottles are normally made of fine-quality crystal, with traditional Chinese art or calligraphy intricately painted on the interior surface, using a painstaking brush technique. Seen by some as the epitome of Chinese artwork, the bottles or neihua are now under threat of counterfeit and low-quality reproduction.
"There are two main problems in the field of inside-painted art: one is the vicious competition, which damages the reputation of the art, the other is the decrease of dedicated painters and apprentices," said Zheng Yimin, vice-chairman of the Chinese Folk Literature and Art Society, at the Forum of China's Inside-Painted Art Protection and Development, held Friday in Shenzhou City, Hebei Province.
More than 30 experts and artists shared their opinions on the future development of the art, including the launch of China Snuff Bottle, the first dedicated Chinese magazine to promote the development of this unique art form.
Preserving the past
Hebei Normal University professor Wei Liqun suggested reviving the original function of the bottles as snuff containers by promoting the use of snuff instead of cigarettes and developing other forms of inside-painted art.
"[Neihua] has almost 300 years' history, showcasing the charm of traditional Chinese art, including painting, calligraphy, carving, inlaying, handicrafts, glassware and enamel, as a unique art form," said 55 -year-old Zhang Zenglou, chairman of the China Inside-Painted Art Institution. Zhang's teacher was Wang Xisan, the inventor of Ji-style inside painted art, which integrated Chinese and Western styles with his signature metal pole-hook brush portraits of animals, flowers and birds.
