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| ARTIST: | Shen Ming Cun |
| DATES: | Chinese 20th Century |
| TITLE: | Mother and Daughter, Miao Tribe |
| MEDIUM: | Oil on canvas |
| SIZE: | 89 x 100 cm |
| REMARKS: | Signed lower left |
| $NZ: | Category F |
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The Miao Ethnic Minority The Miao people form one of South-West China's largest ethnic minorities with a population of 9,000,000 that is spread across the provinces of Guizhou, Yunnan, Hunan and Sichuan. The distinctive embroidery, patterning and colours of their clothing varies between villages. In West Hunan and North-East Guizhou, women wear jackets buttoned on the right and trousers and decorations are embroidered on collars, sleeves and trouser legs. In other areas, women wear short jackets with high collars and either full or half-length pleated skirts. Festive occasions are celebrated with a plethora of special silver jewellery. The Miaos create a variety of colourful arts and crafts including cross-stitch work, embroidery, weaving, batik and paper-cuts. The history of the batik dates back over 1,000 years. Shen Ming CUN Chinese b. 1956 Born in 1956, Professor Shen Ming Cun studied art at the University Art College of Guang Xi, China. Today he is senior oil painting teaching and research director and professor at Guang Xi Arts Institute, specialising in European classical painting. His paintings have come to focus on capturing, distilling and representing the unique traditions, costume and heritage of the minority tribes of Southern China. The affinity and respect that Cun has for these tribal people is clear in his works, which possess a lyrical beauty, dignity and grace. His paintings have been likened to visual poetry in their ability to communicate to the viewer a range of emotions and to draw the spectator into their worlds. Cun captures the chromatic vibrancy of the costumes and ornate silver jewellery with a lightness and confidence that has undoubtedly led to his success. The intricate detailing of individual tribal members, their hand-made clothing, silver embellishments, earthenware and interior surroundings provides an element of the ethnographic in an attempt to preserve in paint the realities of these minority peoples. Their adornments are veritable symbols of the wealth, religion, ritual and national consciousness that shape their lives. The intimate moments that he often portrays provide an atmosphere of invitation and intrigue for the viewer. Cun credits the way in which these tribes live, their attitudes, culture and history as being the fundamental inspiration for his art. He says: "I have spent a long time researching the richly colourful cultural heritage of the Yao and Miao nationalities and the Dong minority of Southern China. Over the years I have lived amongst them and become friends with these beautiful people whom radiate pure goodness and a simple love of life. Cultivating their ancestor’s achievements, they turn life into immortal art." Cun has been recognised with many national awards, and his work has been met with international acclaim and features in many private collections worldwide. He has exhibited in London, Hong Kong, China and Singapore and has also taken part in several important national exhibitions in Beijing and Hong Kong. VICTORIA BAYLY |
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