 |
| Hunan Province Countryside |
After working for a week in busy downtown Changsha, China Bowers’ staff members were delighted to head to the country and feast their eyes on the paintings of Qi Baishi. An exhibition of the artist’s paintings, seals and wood carvings has been in the works for more than a year. It is the first time, and most likely the last, that these works of art will leave China. This remarkable opportunity has been made possible through an exhibition exchange between the Bowers Museum and the Hunan Provincial Museum who is currently exhibiting Native American art from Bowers’ collection. Leaving Changsha’s high rise buildings behind and driving for more than an hour past flower covered pastures, flooded rice fields, grazing animals and many waterways we arrived at our place of work.
 |
| Work Site |
 |
| Guard Dog at Museum Storage |
Past the guard dog and up a flight of stairs, we met our colleagues who showed us the 45 paintings of Qi Baishi that will be displayed at the Bowers Museum beginning on April 11th. Paintings of lively creatures, blossoming flowers, lovely human figures and flowing calligraphy appeared as each scroll was unrolled. It was impossible not to notice the contrast between Qi Baishi’s lively views and the cold concrete room we worked in.
 |
| Inspecting Morning Glory and Dragonfly |
 |
| Inspecting Chrysanthemums |
 |
| Inspecting a Poem in Running Calligraphy Style |
The condition of each painting was examined and installation notes were jotted down for the Bowers’ designer. After looking at the paintings an inspection of three wood doors carved by Qi Baishi were made. Before becoming China’s most famous modern painter, Qi Baishi earned a living as a furniture maker who was commissioned to create fine household goods for wealthy families.
After the doors were packed we headed off to lunch.
 |
| Packing a Wood Door |
 |
| Path to Lunch with Pagoda in Distance |
Several unemployed dogs laid about, and our hosts joked with us about the landscape dogs. Qi Baishi revolutionized Chinese painting by recreating subjects that were accessible and understandable by everyone. It was tempting to imagine Qi Baishi with us and quickly sketching or painting one of these many leisurely creatures. After all, what is easier to understand than a dog soaking up some sun on a beautiful day?
 |
| The Ubiquitous "Landscape Dog" |
Our restaurant was placed at the center of a village surrounded by farms. A small wood table and chairs was the perfect place to enjoy a delicious lunch with our colleagues from the Hunan Provincial Museum. We dined on fresh vegetables, lotus root, pork, frog, an egg omelet and rice. Full of food and pleased with all we had seen, we headed back to the hustle and bustle of the city cherishing every bucolic scene on the way - the same scenes that inspired China’s renowned painter, Qi Baishi.
 |
| Country-style Lunch |
All text and images under copyright. Please contact Collection Department for permission to use.
Comments