The Art of Resistance: Painting by Candlelight in Mao's China (Full Production)

*Publishing November 2017*
Photography by Jon Burris | Film production by Skyline Ink

"The Art of Resistance" surveys the lives of seven painters -- Ding Cong (1916-2009), Feng Zikai (1898-1975), Li Keran (1907-89), Li Kuchan (1898-1983), Huang Yongyu (b. 1924), Pan Tianshou (1897-1971), and Shi Lu (1919-82) -- during China's Cultural Revolution (1966-1976), a time when they were considered counterrevolutionary and were forbidden to paint. Drawing on interviews with the artists and their families and on materials collected during her visits to China, Shelley Drake Hawks examines their painting styles, political outlooks, and life experiences.

These fiercely independent artists took advantage of moments of low surveillance to secretly "paint by candlelight." In doing so, they created symbolically charged art that is open to multiple interpretations. The wit, courage, and compassion of these painters will inspire respect for the deep emotional and spiritual resonance of Chinese art.

[SEACS]

Chinese artists have been expressing their resistance for almost two millenia (and we might discover even earlier if we knew of any extant art from pre-Tang days), which scholars are only now beginning to research and appreciate. This is an excellent short film introducing the subject. For those interested, another important study is Alfreda Murck's "The Subtle Art of Dissent: Poetry and Painting in Song China". Also look at Meng Zhaofu's work from the Yuan Dynasty, works by Gong Kai and others.

[BGoeselt]

Tells a great story in only 12 minutes.