Since 2020 with the COVID-19 pandemic raging worldwide, traditional exhibitions have become increasingly difficult, let alone international ones. The Shaanxi Farmer Painting Association and Xi’an Jiaotong University Museum actively explore new ways to exhibit and communicate in the post-pandemic era. They collaboratively design the International Edition of Online Shaanxi Farmer Painting Digital Exhibition (in Chinese and English) to publicize colorful and interesting farmer paintings globally, telling the story of Shaanxi and the story of China to the world, with the assistance of digital Internet.
Since its inception in the late 1950s, Shaanxi farmer paintings have been developing for 64 years and bringing wonderful works to the hall of Chinese art. Farmers create the paintings with themes of rural and agricultural life. This art borrows elements from Chinese folk art, such as exaggerated shapes and brilliant colors. People worldwide understand the paintings at a glance and fall in love immediately with such local art.
Farmer paintings are characterized by simplicity and local atmosphere. As a vehicle of native accentuation, homeland affection, and nostalgia, this art enjoys the designation ‘Picasso from the East.’Farmer paintings originate inthe countryside of the Loess Plateau and the Guanzhong Plain in China, have spread to over 70 countries and regions for communication and exhibition purposes, andare well received by people from all walks of life domestically and internationally.
The International Edition of Online Shaanxi Farmer Painting Digital Exhibition collects 200 fine works from five major origins of farmer paintings, comprehensively displaying the highest level of Shaanxi farmer paintings. The exhibition covers the works by farmer artists across three generations, showing visitors the history of farmer painting creation and invoking the odor of fresh soil. There are also some precious materials recording Shaanxi farmers in international exchanges. As a part of this exhibition, these materials help to explain why farmer paintings are popular all over the world.
Thanks to the promotion and publicity by the Belt and Road University Alliance initiated by Xi’an Jiaotong University, by platforms such as embassies and consulates abroad, Shaanxi Provincial People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, Shaanxi Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese, Council for the Promotion of International Trade, overseas Chinese associations, and overseas cooperative institutions of farmer painting art, as well as by foreign media, more international friends can feel the charm of local art in Shaanxi.