On November 8, 2023, the "Golf Scenery: Zhang Shaoxia's Oil Painting Exhibition" successfully opened in the auditorium of the Art Museum of Nanjing Academy of Arts.

Zhang Shaoxia entered the commercial world as an art historian, university professor, and dean of the art college. This exhibition showcases his 40 landscape paintings, manuscripts from the 1980s, and various works. Critics such as Chen Xiaoxin, Zhu Qingsheng, Gao Minglu, Shao Yiyang, Wang Lin, and Xu Hong attended the scene to discuss the significance of painting in the digital age.

Below, "Phoenix Art" brings you a review article by invited writer Yu Qihe, as well as comments from critics on artist Zhang Shaoxia.

Although landscape painting appeared later than the buffalo image in cave murals, paintings with scenic elements had already taken shape in the Neolithic Age. In the ruins of atalhy ü k, which is located in today's Türkiye, people at that time used red iron oxide paint to paint on the powder wall of the mud wall. Some studies show that it is the plane view of the area, mainly the villages and nearby volcanoes.

Afterwards, people gradually grasped nature as scenery, and British painter John Constable played an important role in the development of British landscape painting. The Dutch landscape painting school, the French Barbizon painting school, the Italian Venetian painting school, the American Hudson landscape painting school, and the Russian Vladimir landscape painting school all have their own characteristics. In ancient China, the depiction of scenery formed a unique natural concept rather than just scattered perspective.

After the impact of photography technology on painting in the last century, the sci-fi landscape paintings completed by AI in this century have appeared in the most prominent places in the subway passages of Chinese cities. In the past, classical style landscape oil paintings seemed to have degenerated into low-end "line paintings", and even high-end hotels were unwilling to hang them. It seems that landscape oil painting has been judged as a timeless tradition and truly entered the museum of art history.

Artist Zhang Shaoxia has painted many landscape paintings with golf courses as the theme, which he created while playing around the world. Among them, 40 are currently on display at the Art Museum of Nanjing Academy of Arts.

"I asked my friends in the United States to search on GPT and see if anyone has been drawing a golf course all along. The result seems to be none. I found that golf courses are really difficult to draw, and it's difficult to grasp this degree. Drawing a picture becomes tacky, and it's meaningless if it's not like it," said Zhang Shaoxia.

Who is Zhang Xia Zhang? "Baidu Baike" is like this: "Professor Zhang Shaoxia is one of the famous scholars studying Western art history in contemporary China. He was one of the first batch of art graduate students in China after the Cultural Revolution. He enrolled in Nanjing Academy of Arts and studied under Professor Liu Ruli, a renowned figure in art history. After three years of graduate studies, he wrote a million word textbook on" European Art History "... In the 1980s, he published a series of academic monographs such as" Outline of European Arts and Crafts History "," Asian Arts and Crafts History ", and" African and American Arts and Crafts ", filling a major gap in the study of world arts and crafts history in China..."

Professor Zhang Shaoxia and his student Li Xiaoshan wrote the first "History of Modern Chinese Painting" that caused a sensation in the art and academic circles. They also published a representative academic monograph, "History of Western Art Development" (Volume 1 and Volume 2), and then published a monumental work, "Collection of World Paintings", which they worked hard to compile. "

However, the introduction of "Baidu Baike" is limited to "staying on campus to teach as an associate professor" and cannot explain why Zhang Shaoxia has sufficient funds and time to paint the golf course. And for the search that this legendary professor will experience in the future, it has solved my question: after Zhang Shaoxia left Nanjing Academy of Arts, he became the first dean of the School of Arts at Hainan University. He then went abroad to do business, founded a company, and moved from Hainan to Chongqing and Shanghai. He successfully developed real estate projects such as Chongqing Yangtze Tower, Shanghai Nanguo Garden, Haikou Caesar Mansion, Binhai International Financial Center, Wenchang Venice Binhai Hotel, and Nanguo Venice City.

Combining scholars, deans, entrepreneurs, and artists, and adept in every field, Zhang Shaoxia is one of the few examples of versatile talents. Therefore, if one understands the artist's life journey, they may not examine these paintings from the perspective of painting techniques and styles, but should focus on the theme, which is what the golf course means.

Tracing the origins of golf and golf courses is no longer meaningful, as opinions are diverse but mostly point to Scotland in the UK. And regardless of where the golf course is built in the world, it presents a landscape of flat terrain with certain undulations, abundant and lush green plants, and some even have mountains, lakes, and vast forests. Besides the golf course, it should generally include service facilities such as club halls, logistics management offices, parking lots, as well as high-end resort hotels, swimming pools, and other entertainment facilities.

Just like the lawn that was born in the Middle Ages, it gradually became a symbol of social identity due to its need for large areas of land, stable water supply, and regular manual pruning. Excessive watering of the lawn has also exacerbated the drainage problem in the suburbs, which also occurs in golf courses; In addition, excessive land occupation, water pollution caused by the use of pesticides, fertilizers, and other preparations, as well as the disappearance of natural landscapes and adverse effects on wildlife, have also led to widespread criticism of golf courses.

Golf courses can also trap military and political leaders in a whirlpool of public opinion. At the end of the last century, Democratic Senator Proxmale criticized the Pentagon for spending nearly $14 million annually on managing its 300 golf courses worldwide. In 1996, the TV series "US Defense Monitor" reported that elite members of the Pentagon and senior government officials were still using taxpayer money to play in 234 golf courses managed by the US military.

Since 2004, the State Council has issued a notice on suspending the construction of new golf courses. Golf course projects were included in the Catalogue of Prohibited Land Use Projects at the end of 2006. In 2011, the National Development and Reform Commission, together with 11 ministries, jointly issued a notice on the comprehensive cleaning and rectification of golf courses nationwide. However, there are still places where golf courses are built and national policies are disregarded, which is enough to demonstrate the magic of this place.

According to statistics, as of 2022, there are 416 golf courses in China, and the top three regions with the highest number of golf courses are Guangdong, Beijing, and Hainan. The vacancy rate of golf courses in Hainan is high, mainly relying on golf tourists from both overseas and domestic sources. Although Shenzhen did not rank first in terms of the number of golf courses, it was once the region with the highest density of golf courses, the highest number of golf holes, and the highest number of golf consumers in China.

Therefore, as a representation of globalization, golf courses are intertwined with contemporary politics, economy, and culture, with their spatial conditions and human behavior permeating each other. However, in Zhang Shaoxia's writing, they appear so peaceful and have an aesthetic sense of "rural scenery".

Of course, not all the golf courses in the exhibition were played by Zhang Shaoxia, some were courses he wanted to play but had not played before, or courses constantly generated in his mind.

"My dream is to play all the golf courses I want to play but haven't played before, and paint all the courses I want to paint but haven't painted before. And the final picture is the colorful golf course in my dream, not just the green one. Maybe my idols Tiger Woods and McCoy are also willing to swing them," said Zhang Shaoxia.

Zhu Qingsheng, a professor in the Department of History at Peking University and rotating president of the International Society of Art History, said, "The intelligence of machines is gradually depriving human dignity. At this time, only one thing cannot be replaced by machines, which is the subtle and fundamental difference between people. Everyone is unique, and as long as a unique individual does not die, differences cannot be deprived or completely replaced by mechanical algorithms. The expression of differences is how each person views things, and what can express this difference is art. The perspective, status, and feeling on the golf course are different from each other. How to maintain differences, how to reveal and manifest them, depends on how people perceive their own uniqueness." Transform into a work. Therefore, in the era of new media, we have an urgent need for self dignity and self differential expression, which is to express our differences from others and inspire everyone to realize that they can be so different. Therefore, art has such a requirement, which is to return to painting to solve the coverage and control of modern media on people

Zhu Qingsheng believes that Zhang Shaoxia's painting techniques and techniques are commonplace, but what's important is that he found a way, lawn, and sky to express differences on the golf course.

"And the golf course has always been a place that has been completely ignored and recorded by new media, especially since the emergence of photography in 1839, movies in 1895, and computer art in 1995. It has also been a place that has been completely ignored and ignored by people's handicrafts and unique gazes. This has given rise to the revival of painting, which is a humanistic revival of contemporary art entering the era of new media."

Xu Hong, Deputy Director of the Academic Department of the National Art Museum of China and Director of the Academic Department of the Tsinghua University Art Museum, believes that Mr. Zhang Shaoxia is talented and has shown a strong interest in the golf course scenery in North America. "I can feel that he draws relatively quickly, perhaps with emotions overflowing, and quite unrestrained. However, I think he still likes these landscapes very much, not only what he sees, but also what he may think of in his daily life, and a feeling of golf course scenery that comes to mind. Moreover, the scenery in his works seems to be accompanied by music, which has a flowing feeling and a bit surreal feeling, although he draws in reality.". There are also some procedural things that are well recorded in it, so if you look carefully, you can feel that there seems to be music and stories inside, as well as some of his usual thoughts and emotional fluctuations

The way an artist perceives things is like a web unfolding everywhere, with each tentacle intersecting with each other. Therefore, Xu Hong said, "I think what surprised me the most was the display of so many documents in the exhibition. Mr. Zhang Shaoxia has written so many works on art history, including Western, Chinese, primitive, and contemporary works. Therefore, I admire his diligent spirit very much. I just want someone to write so many words, and he also needs to paint so many works, which is really not easy. Moreover, I think this work can still express his feelings about life and life. From this perspective, he probably will have some works in the future, and the process of painting will be very impressive." Always attracted to him. "

Professor, doctoral supervisor, and vice dean of the School of Humanities at the Central Academy of Fine Arts, Shao Yiyang, said that he had studied the series of books on foreign art history written by Zhang Shaoxia when he was a child, as well as the book "History of Modern Chinese Painting" written by him and Li Xiaoshan. "His book has his own perspective, and he brings art criticism into the writing of art history. Although our current art history writing may be more systematic and knowledgeable than his time, Teacher Zhang's book is very passionate and interesting."

"Teacher Zhang's paintings are somewhat between realism and Impressionism. It can be said that they are a de concretized form of painting, but not abstract. The colors of the exhibited works are very rich, and the brushstrokes are also very relaxed, making people feel very comfortable after seeing them. It is a very emotional painting. What he wants to express is very free to express, rather than the conventional way of expression. I think that no matter what he does, being able to talk to himself is a state of freedom, which is also very interesting. This is also his characteristic that sets him apart from other artists."

"Because he is not just an artist, he is also very good at business, and has written many books to show that he lives freely. It is important for people to live freely, not to say 'what must be' or 'what must be'. People should not be bound by fixed rules and can live freely. I think this is a very high state of state." Shao Yiyang said. Shao Yiyang also once said that the concept and meaning of artistic works are always important, as they bring deeper spiritual connotations to beauty, such as the existence of the soul in the body, avoiding beauty from becoming a trap for the eyes and a superficial representation.

Professor Gao Minglu from the University of Pittsburgh in the United States did not meet Zhang Shaoxia before this exhibition, but read his works: "I watched the exhibition today, and these manuscripts made me very touched. Zhang Shaoxia is really a very hardworking person. On the other hand, when I came into contact with him, I also felt that he was very optimistic, free spirited, and cheerful... When Zhang Shaoxia was doing business, we couldn't experience his experience; but when you look at his paintings, you feel that he painted very relaxed."

I don't think the golf course in my eyes is just a landscape painting. It must be combined with Zhang Shaoxia's own personal experience, especially when he put a lot of effort into industry. Because he goes to the golf course to play golf after doing industry, and at the same time, he draws the scenery of these courses. In his opinion, each golf course is different, but I don't think this is a conceptual thing. It's not about these works expressing a concept or concept, but more importantly, it's about following his observation, matching his emotions at the time, and the emotions at that time. So I think these paintings are quite pure because he didn't think of anything else, and he couldn't think of where these paintings would be placed in the future. Go to the exhibition. "

"This thing may not be realistic for many artists, especially young artists, because we have to face the problem of survival. However, Zhang Shaoxia does not have such a concern during the process of painting, so he is very relaxed. Therefore, whether art is a hobby or a means of making a living is difficult for us to choose from outside of reality. Zhang Shaoxia's painting is related to his multiple identities," said Gao Minglu.

Chen Chuanxi, a professor at Renmin University of China and a member of the Council for the Promotion of Chinese Cultural Development, believes that Zhang Shaoxia is a genius type figure because a person with low talent, even after strict training, guidance from renowned teachers, and hard work, would find it difficult to achieve results.

As one of the pioneers in China's in-depth study of Western art history, Zhang Shaoxia believes that his research is very profound and comprehensive: "Chinese painting masters who can truly be called 'masters' must understand art theory, poetry, and calligraphy. You see, people like Shi Tao, Dong Qichang, and Guo Xi have all left works, otherwise they cannot become first-class masters."

Zhang Shaoxia likes to play golf and specializes in painting golf landscapes, and his subject matter is different from others. I used to think he didn't know much about techniques, after all, he is engaged in research on art history, but now it seems that his basic oil painting skills are very solid. But I still think that academics are important. If you only know techniques, it is craftsmen. I have studied undergraduate education in the United States and Europe, and the art department's foreign language education accounts for 20%, art history accounts for 20%, philosophy accounts for 20%, and painting related courses together only account for 40%. Therefore, Western schools mainly cultivate students' knowledge, not only technology, but also technology. So I hope that Chinese oil painters can have more people like Zhang Shaoxia, who can seriously engage in research and practice. They cannot just do research without practice. Foreign poetry, philosophy, and literature need to be read once. Everyone has a broad mind in order to be broad. Such artists' works are good, after all, painting is a kind of consciousness Chen Chuanxi said.

Shang Hui, Director of the Art Theory Committee of the China Artists Association, believes that Mr. Zhang Shaoxia is a legend of a generation. He entered the campus as a student of workers, peasants, and soldiers, published China's first modern art history, and embarked on a commercial boom with the ideal of "governing the world". His courage embodies the dreams of a generation. And these exhibited works also reflect that art has never been extinguished in his mind.

"The nature depicted in these golf themed works is not purely natural, but reflects the process of China's modernization and the spiritual life of urban people. We have gained a sense of emotional release and pleasure in his works. We could have achieved this pleasure on a golf course, but I believe not everyone can walk into a golf course. Therefore, Mr. Zhang Shaoxia's oil paintings allow ordinary audiences to enter a place where people and nature combine through his paintings."

"I believe that some of Mr. Zhang's works are sketches, while others are re created indoors. He combines the two together. Sketches are obviously completed as a golfer, reflecting a kind of care for nature in urban life. So if he returns to the studio to create, he must have expressed his naturalistic scenery with a classical aesthetic. Therefore, in Zhang's works, we can read about the understanding of scenery in various stages of Western art history. I think Zhang's positioning of scenery is particularly meaningful in art history." said Shang Hui.

Professor and doctoral supervisor of the School of Arts at Sichuan University, Huang Zongxian, stated that at the peak of his academic career, Zhang Shaoxia resolutely turned around and walked towards the ends of the earth. Golf courses and art are always Mr. Shaoxia's poetry and distant places: "Golf courses seem to be an objective presentation, but visible scenery contains invisible spiritual demands. The golf course is a physical space, but also a spiritual space. Here, rationality and sensibility, discipline and transcendence, planning and passion form a tension relationship, just like the state of life in art. Zhang Shaoxia's golf course is a mirror image of scenery, reflecting the grandeur and intensity in the life process, as well as transcendence and elegance. His paintings reflect transcendence and elegance." Is the work serene - is it the moment before the climax as Lessing said, or the endless aftertaste after the big show ends? It leaves room for imagination and nostalgia for the audience

The visual rhetoric of a golf course is plain, and it is not difficult to see Mr. Zhang's familiarity with Western classical oil painting techniques. The composition strives for the rhythm of the internal structure in stability, the color pursues collision in coordination, and the brushstrokes seek rich changes in stability. The golf course should have character activities, but Mr. Zhang's paintings are almost deserted. However, in the sunshine and clouds, in the shaking trees and lawns, in the pools, and on the paths, there is always a shining light of life, flowing with a musical rhythm. This is a place where people who have seen the world and experienced storms place to place their own souls. It is a place where they return to the world after experiencing the storm. The materialized form of aesthetic spirit in a peaceful environment. 'Silence and Joy' is Hegel's most exquisite summary of Western classical art. "Isn't this the aesthetic atmosphere that Mr. Zhang Shaoxia's works exude?" Huang Zongxian said.

Li Xiaoshan, the Art Director of the Art Museum of Nanjing Academy of Arts, recalled that he once collaborated with Professor Zhang Shaoxia to complete "A History of Modern Chinese Painting". During that period, the two of them were almost inseparable, both exploring and exchanging academically, as well as colliding and improving their perspectives. It is believed that Zhang Shaoxia's golf courses are like the bottles and jars of Morandi, and it is the theme that guides the concept, which confirms the accuracy of the painter's choice of theme.

Is the expression technique used by Zhang Shaoxia when facing the special theme of golf courses appropriate? Is there a better way? He is not satisfied with the current overly skilled painting method for him. In his words, constantly repeating to accumulate strength can also be quite tasteless. He often puts down his paintbrush, thinks carefully about himself, and also doubts himself. I remember an old saying: what is not important, how is important. In fact, for creators, all ready-made concepts in painting are references, there is no right or wrong problem, only the problem of how to choose an individual. Without a doubt, Zhang Shaoxia will encounter the common anxiety that many painters have encountered - such anxiety can be... A bottleneck can be a turning point

Zhang Shaoxia hopes that every painting can be accurately matched, seeking similarities and differences, and seeing the true face in differences. Obviously, it is a strict inspection of techniques such as composition, brushstrokes, texture, color, etc. Although the objects change in different seasons, the changes are superficial. The terrain structure remains unchanged, and the author's angle and orientation are limited. Therefore, seeking changes relies on various exquisite treatments of the picture. I want to say that the so-called painting is like a person, which is appropriate for Zhang Shaoxia. He has a broad perspective and a high starting point. In front of his paintings, you can clearly see the brush dancing in his hand, enjoying pleasure. Completely - it is a pleasure to watch: handsome, free spirited, skilled, and beautiful. However, he is ultimately a meticulous and rational person. The mystery of creation is often that the more rational the gatekeeper is, the more natural and unrestrained the release of talent Li Xiaoshan said.

Professors Liu Weidong and Zhang Shaoxia from Nanjing Academy of Arts are classmates and have both studied European art history under Mr. Liu Ruli. Liu Weidong talked about how Zhang Shaoxia, while teaching in school, completed the ink roll printing of the "History of European Art" textbook, "Outline of European Arts and Crafts History", "History of Asian Arts and Crafts", and "History of African and American Arts and Crafts", which caused a huge response in the field of arts and crafts; The "History of Modern Chinese Painting" co authored by Zhang Shaoxia and Li Xiaoshan has objectively criticized and evaluated many contemporary artists, and has caused huge waves and extensive discussions and debates in the art world.

Liu Weidong also mentioned that Zhang Shaoxia has made important contributions to the discipline construction of Nanjing Academy of Arts, especially the application work for the second batch of art doctoral programs started by the Ministry of Education in 1985: "After leaving Nanyi, Shaoxia went to Hainan Island and was responsible for the construction of the Academy of Arts at Hainan University. Three years later, he left the campus and swam in the business world. Afterwards, he ran around the world, navigating between giants and achieving great success in the business world. However, from my understanding of him, he was in the business world, or rather, his heart was in the business world but his soul was in art. The genes of art had already dissolved in his blood and could not be shaken off.".

"In 2018, Shaoxia regained his paintbrush and created five to six hundred oil paintings based on the golf courses he had visited around the world. Similarly, in my opinion, these works are not so much about being fond of scenery, but rather about being fond of memories, art, and being faithful to the essence." Liu Weidong said.

Feng Yu from the School of Arts at Nanjing University said that Mr. Zhang Shaoxia's oil paintings deeply moved him: "His works have clear and fast colors, and the composition is rigorous and picturesque. Although they use Western materials and techniques, overall, his works have the fun of Zong Bing's words: 'The quality of mountains and waters is interesting and spiritual' and 'Playing the qin and moving the movements, wanting to make the mountains sound'; and there is also the transcendent and profound interest of the Jin Dynasty's' Lin Wujing Tree, Lake Light and Cloud Shadow '. The works also reflect his practical understanding of art history after deepening cultivation - representing the boundaries between subjectivity, objectivity, reality, and art, achieving the goal of' interest outside the law '." Creative ideas. "

"Mr. Zhang Shaoxia's works are deeply philosophical, establishing the highest level of beauty for viewers! Not only do they allow us to appreciate the beautiful scenery of golf courses around the world, but they also allow us to enjoy the artistic conception of Tao Yuanming's' picking chrysanthemums under the eastern fence, leisurely seeing the southern mountains'." Feng Yu said.

Peng De, a professor and doctoral supervisor at Xi'an Academy of Fine Arts, also pointed out that there is no need to discuss Zhang Shaoxia's landscape paintings from the perspective of oil painting techniques and style history, and the subject matter should be the focus of attention. The golf course is a carefully designed "third nature" that exists in reality but is also a very unrealistic human scene: "Shaoxia originally came from the art world. In the mid-1980s, he teamed up with Li Xiaoshan to write" A History of Modern Chinese Art "and became famous. In his middle age, he turned to industry and became the largest real estate owner in Shanghai. This industry that nurtures and buries talents has seen many influential figures fall through the sand in this field. However, his career has been brilliant yet he has fully retired, combining his outstanding qualities with foresight and achieving a generation of talents. During this time, Shaoxia has traveled to major art museums around the world and compiled a collection of exquisite and unparalleled works." "Western Oil Painting Art History Album. Then focus on oil painting as the destination of life."

"Shaoxia, as the name suggests, is a hero monk who has a spiritual attachment. As literati, I have always thought it was just a momentary interest to follow religion. Although there are many people who have entered the monastic and Taoist realms, most of them have to do so, from Wang Wei to Ni Zan, to the four monks to Li Shutong, with no exception. Once, I had a free conversation with Master Mingyuan of Zhongnan Mountain. I said, 'The era we are facing now has far more and complex social problems than the era of Shakyamuni.' Master Mingyuan said, 'Yes.' I said, 'Since that's the case, your generation of high monks should surpass Shakyamuni.'" Master Mingyuan "Not facing the problems of outsiders directly, but it is the spiritual node that all those who return should self comprehend in their hearts, and Shaoxia is no exception," Peng De said.

Lin Shuchuan, Deputy Director of the Art Museum of Nanjing University of Arts, as the curator of this exhibition, said at the opening ceremony, "Today is a special day, and it is also a special exhibition that I have planned. Today, the school teachers came to see this exhibition and expressed that they are looking at these books. I am very nervous when I heard this sentence. I am planning an exhibition for my grandfather. I am also very grateful to Teacher Zhang for giving me and the Nanyi Art Museum this opportunity to plan this exhibition."

Lin Shuchuan came into contact with Teacher Zhang Shaoxia, and he believed that in addition to the works he worked hard to "grow" under Teacher Zhang's pen; Regarding Teacher Zhang's personal success under the concept of success studies, every success is a sociological sample that can be showcased: "Pick up, do well, let go, choose, every seemingly easy action, every accumulation and transformation of personal identity, has an extremely difficult process of accumulation, and this sample is precisely what needs to be presented to students and audiences. Starting from 2018, he gradually removed all unnecessary identities, allocated almost all time and energy to existing painting creations, and the studio piled up hundreds of works that can speak for himself. Teacher Zhang, at the age that can be called an old gentleman in academia, is still showing young people a more dynamic work state.". The Nanyi Exhibition is just a new departure for artist Zhang Shaoxia, full of curiosity and focus. He will definitely use his paintbrush to bring us different surprises at the confirmed solo exhibitions at the University of London in the UK and the Bernini Museum in Florence, Italy next year.