CHINESE CONTEMPORARY FOLK ART

                       KUNG HEI FAT CHOI, 2019, LUNAR YEAR OF THE PIG 

IT IS TRUE: I LOVE THE UNIQUENESS, COLOR AND PRIMITIVE DRAWING FOUND IN CHINESE FOLK ART, I WANTED TO REPOST FROM MANY YEARS BACK, WHAT I SHARED THEN. PLUS SHARING TWO NEW PIECES! 

Many countries share a common love of folk art painting, sometimes known as primitive art.

 The cultures hold many similarities in their art, but also enjoy distinct differences. Generally Folk Art illustrates a specific story concerning the ordinary, every day living of the average person.

Chinese Folk Art is more theme oriented, telling a specific story or moral.

The following contemporary folk art scenes are painted by both men and women.

Embroidery is a long established art form in China.  It is mainly a female activity. The items embroidered are quite diverse and include robes, theatrical costumes, purses, shoes and alter cloths.  Some are so finely stitched that it can take 5-6 women several years to complete a piece.

 Usually a traditional Chinese medicine shop puts its medicines/ herbs in cupboards lined with tiny square drawers.  A dispenser would pull open the drawers to take out medicine according to prescriptions provided by doctors.

Floating in metal tubs the women gather the seeds of the lotus blossom. The Lotus blossom is a very common folk art symbol.

 In Asia many homes are self contained with their gardens, animals, shrines, cooking areas and living arrangements bound by walls.  These wonderful primitive paintings preserve a way of life that is slowly changing.

 A happy celebrating of a wedding in Shanghai.

The household goods are on barges to be taken to the new home.

Neighborhood gatherings watching films.  

I don't think they are selling popcorn...but perhaps fried chicken feet! A true delicacy.

I love the clean, brightly painted, flat perspective of folk art.

No shading or highlights, just flat, bold colors with lots of tiny details. Usually the work is done on paper with paint similar to our gouache.

This is my modern take on Chinese Folk Art.  

ANOTHER MORE RECENT

Heart Thought: you might enjoy sharing these images with your children or grandchildren. Let them make up their own stories, or try their hand at their own folk art incorporating their home and environment.

MAY YOUR NEW YEAR, 2019, GIFT YOU INNER PEACE, JOY IN NATURE, LOVE FOR OTHERS AND FULFILLING A LIFE LONG WISH. 
SHARON

YEAR OF THE ROOSTER

Hey, did you say, "Year of the ROOSTER?"
That's me.
"I volunteer!!! I am getting tired of hanging out with the hens."

Can you see those numbers at the top? If the year is listed that you were born in, then, great, you are also a ROOSTER.  You are in good company with men! Come along with me.   

If you ever get to China, be prepared. Lanterns are everywhere...I mean everywhere.  You would think it was Mardi Gras or something. Sadly, I have yet to find a perfect ROOSTER lantern....I guess I will have to design  one.  But I do LOVE the Moon Cakes and tea.

This year, Sharon got rather carried away sketching bits and bobs of Chinese culture. Sadly much of the old, traditional culture is being replaced by gigantic sky walk buildings, cities within cities.

 The colorful cards poking out of the sketchbook, are painted by Chinese folk artists. In an unique way, they visually portray stories of old Chinese traditions and ways of living, especially rural life. 

Chinese children are BEAUTIFUL...I wish we ROOSTER'S  had round faces, deep brown/black eyes, inky-black hair, and rosy cheeks.  Heck, why am I complaining, I got feathers to CROW about.  I am okay. I am glad to be ME.

I think that Sharon is infatuated with China and Asia in general. I was scrolling through her older posts. She seems to write about Chinese New Year, every year.  I think she is waiting for her year, 19___, to pop up, then brag about it. No she won't fill in the missing numbers. 

I found this blog (below) and I loved it.  Imagine eating fish eyeballs.  Yup, that is what her family did.

If you want to keep reading, be my guest.  At least it isn't 

Rooster Soup!  

EVERY YEAR WE TAKE AN IMAGINARY TRIP TO ASIA 

TO CELEBRATE CHINESE NEW YEAR--A TRADITION THAT GIVES MUCH HAPPINESS AND JOY TO THE CHINESE CULTURE AND OTHERS. 

THEY INSPIRE US WITH OUR AMERICAN VERSION OF CNY !

CHEF DANIEL PREPARING FRESH FISH FOR OUR FEAST

FISH TASTED AS GOOD AS THEY LOOK....NOTE THE BEAUTIFUL EYEBALLS !

NOW THE CHALLENGE PLACED IN FRONT OF THE AMERICAN GRAND KIDDIES WAS......

TO EAT THE FISH EYEBALL IS A CHINESE TRADITION, ONLY BESTOWED UPON GUESTS OF HONOR.
TWO GK'S DECIDED TO EACH EAT AN EYEBALL, BEING TOLD THAT THEY ARE INDEED, VERY SPECIAL. 

"DON'T THINK ABOUT IT. JUST PUT IT IN YOUR MOUTH AND SWALLOW."

THEY DID IT!!! YOU CAN SEE BY THEIR FACES THAT YOU MIGHT WANT TO TRY A DELICIOUS EYEBALL WHEN YOU ARE A GUEST OF HONOR. 

TIME TO STRING LUCKY ORANGES AND LUCKY DOLLARS ON TO STURDY STRING.
A WISH FOR THE YEAR IS WRITTEN ON THE BEAUTIFUL RED AND GOLD JOSS PAPER. 

OUTSIDE WE WENT TO MAKE WISHES AND THROW OUR ORANGES HIGH INTO THE TREES.
AND THERE THEY STILL HANG TODAY.  

WE ALREADY ARE A VERY LUCKY FAMILY !  

THANKS SHARON FOR LETTING ME WRITE THIS YEAR'S CNY POST.  I WILL SEE YOU NEXT YEAR, SAME TIME.
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE.  

ROOSTER AND SHARON