Modern Sculpture

Modern Sculpture

Chinese sculpture has experienced further development since the Revolution of 1911. Its dissemination and promotion achieved prominent progress.

 

After the 20th Century, Chinese traditional religious sculpture was on the wane. Though the small folk sculpture was still very flourish, it failed to be the mainstream. During the years around the Revolution of 1911, some young people went to Britain, America, Japan and other foreign countries to learn sculpture. During the period between the May 4th Movement (1919) and the 1930s, many young artists went to foreign countries such as Canada, France, Japan and Belgium learning sculpture. After returning home, they held several sculpture exhibitions, which greatly promoted the development of Chinese on-the-shelf sculpture. Most of them, who devoted themselves to art education, became pioneers of Chinese modern sculpture. Sculpture education in Chinese academy of fine arts began in 1920 when Sculpture Department was established in Shanghai Academy of Fine Arts, followed by Hangzhou Academy of Fine Arts and Beiping Academy of Fine Arts, etc. Some large creations include statues in memory of Sun Yat-Sen and other republic revolutionists, as well as monument to heroes in War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1937-1945), and so on. Sculpture art has greatly developed since the establishment of People's Republic of China. Sculpture Department was common in art colleges and students, including graduates, were sent to the Soviet Union to study sculpture.