1978-1983 Huang Rui and Ma Desheng : Art Editors 1978-1983 : Huang Rui and Ma Desheng A Constellation of Stars

A Constellation of Stars

1 Dedicated to our friends who support us enthusiastically, and to those who did not leave their names.

1979 / A thank you notice hanging by the entrance of the Beihai Huafang Zhai during the Stars Exhibition, 1979 / Photographed by Chi Xiaoning

2 3

1978-1983 A Constellation of Stars Huang Rui and Ma Desheng : Art Editors 1978-1983

4 5 Contents

Part I Introduction 9

Part II Timeline 13

a. National / Cultural Timeline 14 1978 - 1983

b. Timeline of the Stars and Foreign Literature Magazine 32 1978 - 1983

Part III Images 43

a. Huang Rui: Art Editor for Foreign Literature 44 b. Huang Rui and Ma Desheng: Illustrations for Poetry Collections 76 c. Huang Rui: Works on Paper 124 d. Stars Artists: Works on Paper 186 Part IV Artists' Biographies 201

6 7 Part I / Introduction

8 9 Part I / Introduction

Introduction

History and art have more in common than one might think. Although it is often considered factual, history is abstract. Events are first seen from different sides; time creates a growing distance between past events and present perception, adding lenses of change and experience so that facts become memories - and sometimes fiction. The transmission of history is therefore a process of selection – conscious or unconscious - not unlike the distilling of experience that produces a work of art. Both are expressions of experience. The works presented in this book offer a powerful combination of art and history. The period 1978-1983 in China was pivotal. Mao Zedong died in September 1976; in the wake of his death, and whether or not it was immediately clear to people, the country entered a stage of unprecedented change. In a speech at the United Nations in 1974, Deng Xiaoping had said that “Self-reliance in no way means ‘self-seclusion’…” - a statement anticipating the years of reform and opening which were to follow the start of his leadership in 1977. These began with the announcement in late 1978 of Four Modernisations designed to promote industrial growth. At the same time, a “Democracy Wall” appeared in Beijing to which were affixed posters containing messages about democratic rights. The most forceful of these was the “Fifth Modernisation” proposed by Wei Jingsheng, declaring the first four modernisations meaningless without a fifth to ensure democratic freedom. This, however, and several protests in different cities led to a government crackdown in January 1979. Such was the unstable start to this period - one in which individual freedoms expanded and were retracted. But a stirring of agitation was clear. Amidst this cultural ferment, fed also by increasing access to Western influences in the early 1980s, were certain individuals determined in their desire for change. Two such figures in 1978 were Huang Rui and Ma Desheng. They had met through the unofficial literary magazine To d a y (Jin Tian, ), co-published by Huang Rui and considered one of the most radical publications of the time. Wishing for personal expression and artistic experimentation, Huang and Ma became the primary members of the Stars artist group founded by Huang Rui in 1979. The Stars Group (Xing Xing Hua Hui, ) – named in a spirit of directness and enlightenment, piercing the darkness of the passing socio-political era and the restrictions of Social Realist art, staged two subversive exhibitions in 1979 and 1980. Crucially, these represent the beginnings of a Chinese avant-garde following the Cultural Revolution. Another magazine revealing new cultural currents was Foreign Literature (Wai Guo Wen Xue, ), for which Huang Rui was Art Editor. Some of the pictures in this book were originally used in Foreign Literature, and also in contemporary poetry books. The pairing of these illustrations with writing by international authors or with Chinese poems helps us to understand this time – its creativity, artistic exploration and desire for knowledge. The importance of this moment in China remains undiminished as the current era of contemporary Chinese art unfolds. The task of this book is to outline that context, which forms the backdrop to the progressive activities of Huang Rui, Ma Desheng and the Stars. The period 1978 - 1983 was unique, combining social, political, economic and cultural factors which shaped the nation in the post-Mao era. This book thus contains two timelines; the first outlines key events and developments in China during this period. The second is specific to the Stars Group and Foreign Literature magazine. The main body of the book is filled with the images of the artists’ works. Lastly are included the biographies of the artists. These pictures in many ways escape the abstraction of history. As first-hand examples of personal expression - in hindsight as much at the moment they were created - they communicate directly about a critical time in China. Charged with visual immediacy, theirs is an exceptional contribution to our understanding of the period.

Iona Whittaker Art Critic and Editor

10 11 Part II / Timeline

12 13 Part II / Timeline

National / Cultural Timeline 1978-1983

1978 Addis Ababa with an intermediate stop in Karachi - officially opens. A new Chinese Constitution is adopted. 1978 3 The Central Committee of the Communist Party holds a 12 , National Science Conference in Beijing. Hua Guofeng gives a speech concerning the scientific and cultural standard of the nation; Guo Muoruo issues a written speech on scientific 1978 / progress. An outline for national scientific development from The first version of the first issue of Today magazine, 1978 / Provided by Huang Rui 1978 to 1985 is passed. April 1 1978 The Central Committee approves a report from the United Front Work Department and the Department of Public Following Deng Xiaoping’s official return to power the year Security on the decision to remove all “hats” of the “rightists”, 4 before, 1978 saw the beginning of major changes in China in thus rehabilitating their reputations. the post-Mao era. Deng introduces “Reform and Opening” The Central Committee of the Communist Party approves in December, signalling new economic goals (known as the Ministry of Education’s enrollment of new students into “The Four Modernisations”) and a degree of openness to colleges and universities once more. A unified examination Western culture. This gave rise to socio-cultural movements, paper is adopted for college entrance examinations. principally the Beijing Spring and Democracy Wall, which Xinhua News Agency reports on a Ministry of Culture permitted people to criticise problems resulting from the campaign to rehabilitate various figures who had been 2 Cultural Revolution. persecuted by the “Gang of Four”, including film director Zhang Haimo and singer Luo Jingyu. January The Communist Party’s Central Committee approves the The Review of Foreign Art (Guo Wai Mei Shu Zi Liao, restoration of the structures and names of art performance ) is founded. troupes closed down during the Cultural Revolution. The National Library of China displays several books which had been banned during the Cultural Revolution. The May contents of these books include social sciences, natural The ceremony of laying ashes for Lao She, writer and former science, literature and art. Vice Chairman of the Chinese Culture Union, is held in Beijing. The first Chinese exhibition of Western art to be held since Evidence of 7000-year-old prehistoric culture is discovered in 1949 is held in Shanghai: Paysages et Paysannes Francais: la Hemudu Village, Yuyao County, Zhejiang Province. Vie Rurale en France au XIXè Siècle 1820-1905. The exhibition The magazine Theory Trends (Li Lun Dong Tai, ) draws enthusiastic crowds in Shanghai and, in March, at the publishes the article "Practice is the Sole Criterion of Truth" National Art Museum of China in Beijing. (Shi Jian Shi Jian Yan Zhen Li De Wei Yi Biao Zhun, ), a Marxist educational text pertaining to February ideological liberation. The 1st Session of the Fifth Chinese People's Political Broadcasting becomes highly centralised - Beijing TV Station Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee is is replaced by China Central Television (CCTV) and Beijing held in Beijing – the first time the body has met since the start Radio Station is replaced by China Radio International. of the Cultural Revolution. 1979 / The China Arts and Crafts Exhibition is held at the National August Rusticated youth from Beijing who were sent to Art Museum of China in Beijing. Beijing and Tokyo sign a peace and friendship treaty aimed at Shanxi to work during the Cultural Revolution gather closer economic and political cooperation. in front of the Municipal Building to demand their March The Shanghai Municipal Government holds the ceremony dispatch back to Beijing China’s first international air route to Africa - from Beijing to of laying ashes for Zheng Junli, a film artist who had been Spring 1978 / Photographed by Wang Rui

14 15 Part II / Timeline

severely persecuted in the Cultural Revolution, and who died Deng Xiaoping introduces Reform and Opening, outlining the in prison in 1969. creation of twelve state companies to control imports and "Scar" (Shang Hen, )- a short story by Lu Xinhua dealing exports and a series of “Special Economic Zones” (SEZs) with a series of personal tragedies caused by the excesses of in Southern China. The Four Modernisations are designed the Cultural Revolution - is published in Shanghai’s Wen Hui to modernise agriculture, industry, defence, science and 58.5 x 85.2 cm 1979 Daily (Wen Hui Bao, ). technology. These are the rationale for the “Socialist Market Huang Rui, Democracy Wall, Pencil on paper, 58.5 x 85.2 cm, 1979 Economic System”. In line with these goals, China adopts an September “open-door” policy towards the West, developing SEZs and An e-mail link is established be tween Germany and China. sending students abroad. 5 11 The 8th Asian Games is held in Bangkok; Chinese athletes October win 56 gold, 60 silver and 51 bronze medals. Deng Xiaoping and his wife Zhuo Lin visit Japan and attend A national system of university entrance exams resumes for a ceremony for the treaty for Sino-Japanese peace and the first time since the Cultural Revolution. friendship. The Boeing aircraft plant in Seattle, Washington announces that China has ordered three Jumbo 747 jet airliners. 1979 The Democracy Wall movement begins. This wall to the The Chairman of Coca-Cola announces that the corporation West of the Forbidden City was initially a government- has reached an agreement to sell Coca-Cola inside China, sanctioned site for posters (often in the form of big-character and will open a bottling plant in Shanghai. posters), offering criticisms and calls for greater freedom and democracy. Wei Jingsheng emerges at this time, calling for a 8 “Fifth Modernisation”— democracy and individual liberties. 12 November Xinhua News Agency reports that the first large integrated steel works to have been designed, manufactured, installed and constructed in China - the first-stage project of Panzhihua iron and steel industry base - has been built and put into operation. Deng Xiaoping introduces economic and social reforms 9 emphasising increased openness to capitalism and Western culture. A public response is the “Beijing Spring” democracy movement, which flourishes until 1979. Prime Minister Hua Guofeng writes an inscription for the 10 Tiananmen Poems, a soon-to-be-published collection of 56 poetry and essays displayed, read or distributed during the 60 51 liberal protests known as the Tiananmen Incident in April 1976. Hua had been Minister of Public Security at the time of the demonstration, and was therefore responsible for its 747 suppression. The anonymous poem “The Mourning of the People” by Huang Rui is included in the collection. December The Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee convenes in Beijing. The guiding policies of “class struggle” and “continued revolution under the dictatorship of the / proletariat” are overturned. Ma Desheng in his studio, early 1980s Photographed by Li Xiaobin

16 17 Part II / Timeline

1979 4 1979 1979 The year commences with the peak of the Democracy Wall movement. A government backlash ensues, and the campaigners · 1 are suppressed. Sino-American diplomatic relations are normalised in January, and, as China opens up to Western investment, the first 1979 1985 joint ventures are permitted in Special Economic Zones. In the year in which the first TV advertising appeared in China, Deng Xiaoping 10 announces that the nation is “A market economy with Socialist characteristics.” Two important art movements – Scar Art (Shang · Hen Mei Shu, ) and the Stars Group (Xing Xing Hua Hui, ) - emerge this year.

1 January 1 1 In the Joint Communiqué on the Establishment of Diplomatic 5 Relations dated January 1, the USA transfers diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing. Sino-US diplomatic relations are normalised. Deng Xiaoping visits the United States. February Chinese forces battle across the Southern border in Vietnam 2 after Vietnamese troops oust the pro-Beijing Pol-Pot regime in Cambodia, leading to the month-long Vietnam conflict. 1 6 The National Committee of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation in China is established. 54.5 x 39.5 cm1979 The Central Committee of the Communist Party and the State Huang Rui, Self-Portrait, Pencil on paper, Council approve the recovery of the Archives Bureau. However, the 54.5 x 39.5 cm, 1979 archives remain largely closed and off-limits to individuals. Deng Xiaoping pays a two-day visit to Japan. 1979 4 8 / A memorial for Jian Bozan, a famous writer and former Vice President 1979 4 8 / The poet Mang Ke (centre) hosts Today magazine's first outdoor of Peking University who had been forced to commit suicide during the The writer Shi Tiesheng attends Today poetry reading on April 8, 1979 / Photographed by Chi Xiaoning 9 magazine's first outdoor poetry reading Cultural Revolution after severe torture, is held in Beijing. The New Spring Painting Exhibition, organised by Jiang Feng, opens on April 8, 1979 / Photographed by Chi Xiaoning 1979 4 8 / in the waterside pavilion in Zhongshan Park. The poet Bei Dao discusses with audience members during 3 Today magazine's first outdoor poetry reading on April 8, 1979 / March Photographed by Chi Xiaoning The Party deems the Democracy Wall criticisms too sensitive and begins an official crackdown. Wei Jingsheng is arrested and 1985 convicted of “counterrevolutionary” activities, and detained as a 1979 4 8 / political prisoner. Qu Leilei discusses with audience members during Today According to Xinhua News Agency, the State Council decides to magazine's first outdoor poetry reading on April 8, 1979 / reinstate the Agricultural Bank of China. Photographed by Chi Xiaoning The first commercial advertising appears on TV for local brand Lucky Coke on CCTV. The first Western fashion show is held in China: Pierre Cardin presents his designs in the Cultural Palace of Minorities in Beijing.

18 19 Part II / Timeline

1979 10 1 / Huang Rui and Ma Desheng give speeches during the protest march on October 1, 1979 / Photographed by Wang Rui

April called the “Hundred Flowers Movement” initiated by Mao The Seventh Meeting of the National People’s Congress Zedong in 1956-7 to encourage intellectuals to criticise the Standing Committee reaches a decision not to extend the government) and allow literary and artistic creativity to prosper. assistance treaty between China and the Soviet Union. Murals are unveiled at Beijing International Airport. Water- According to Xinhua News Agency, the state administration Splashing Festival: Ode to Life (Po Shui Jie–Sheng Ming De for foreign exchange is established. The State Council Zan Ge, ) by Yuan Yunsheng includes approves the head office of the Bank of China as directly nude female figures which cause controversy over nudity in affiliated to the State Council. It is said that between 1979 and public art. (The mural is boarded over in 1981). 10 1985, the value of deposits in Chinese banks tripled. People are able to apply for bank loans for the first time in decades. October The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Kurt Waldheim, Premier Hua Guofeng pays official visits to France, Germany, visits China. the UK and Italy. The 13th World Table Tennis Championships is held in The first round of Sino-Soviet state relations negotiations are Pyongyang; China’s women’s team wins the championship. held in Moscow. The 4th Chinese Literary and Artistic Workers Congress is May held in Beijing. Representative writers, dramatists, artists, The Bank of China and the Japan Export-Import Bank sign a musicians, filmmakers and other literary and art workers loan agreement for development funds in Tokyo. attend the conference. The Communist Party Central Committee and the State The historical materials of the Communist Party of China Council issue a notice concerning the restoration of the are modified and re-exhibited in the National Museum of 11 administrative divisions of the autonomous region of Inner Revolutionary History after a 13-year suspension. Mongolia. 1979 9 27 / November Yuan Yunsheng looks at wood sculptures on the opening day of June Deng Xiaoping states that China is a market economy with the Stars Exhibition on September 27, 1979 / Photographed by Chi China’s ancient trading port, Ningbo, reopens to the Socialist characteristics. 12 Xiaoning world, specialising in the business of import and export Jiang Feng, a rehabilitated rightist, assumes leadership of the commodities. China Artists Association. The Chinese and Irish governments sign a joint agreement 1979 9 27 / Wang Keping and Yuan Yunsheng on the opening day of the Stars to establish diplomatic relations at ambassadorial level, and December Exhibition on September 27, 1979 / Photographed by Chi Xiaoning send ambassadors between the two countries. Japanese Prime Minister Masayoshi Ohira visits China. A tourist charter flight from Hong Kong to Beijing formally September opens. 1979 9 27 / The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issues a statement to reiterate The Chinese government issues a statement strongly Front row from left to right: Yuan Yunsheng (second to left), Qu that China has indisputable sovereignty over the Spratly condemning the Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan, and 10 Leilei, Wang Keping and Zhong Acheng at the Stars Exhibition on Islands and their adjacent waters, as well as the resources in insists on its withdrawal. September 27, 1979 / Photographed by Chi Xiaoning these territories. The Xidan Democracy Wall is sealed off and temporarily 1980 A National Tourism Working Conference is held in Beidaihe. The moved to Yuetan Park. This marks the end of the Beijing meeting envisages hosting 3.5 million travelers by 1985. Spring Democracy Movement. The Minister of Culture, Huang Zhen, stresses in a Chinese The 10th FIBA Asia Championship is held in Japan. The and foreign press conference that the main task of literary Chinese men’s basketball team wins the championship and and artistic circles is to continue to emancipate the mind, with it the chance to represent the Asian region in the 1980 conscientiously implement the “Double Hundred” policy (also Moscow Olympic Games.

20 21 Part II / Timeline

1980

The effects of Deng Xiaoping’s economic reforms begin to show. Alongside a huge trade deficit, China secures initial loans from the International Monetary Fund and World Bank; the PRC enacts its first income tax laws - though these excluded most people. Culturally, influences from the West continue to reach China, and are met by growing demand. The movie based on Bai Hua’s controversial screenplay, Bitter Love (Ku Lian, ), becomes a target in the campaign against “bourgeois liberalisation”. In an effort to curb the rapidly-growing population, the “One-Child Policy” is 1979 10 1 implemented at national level. In November, the public trial of the The start of the Stars protest march, October 1, 1979 / Photographed by Wang Rui Gang of Four begins in Beijing.

January A shipping line opens between Shanghai Port and Portland Port. 1980 The Chinese Olympic Committee indicates that it will work with the Olympic committees of other countries to boycott the Moscow 4 Olympic Games. February China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs exchanges diplomatic notes with the US Embassy in Beijing, with the result that an agreement on trade relations between the two countries enters into force. 5 The 13th Winter Olympic Games is held at Lake Placid, USA. The 11 Chinese Sports Delegation takes part in the games - for the first time after the International Olympic Committee resumed China’s legal status. 1980 1 The Beijing Press Institute is founded. Honorary President Hu Qiaomu notes at the National People’s Congress that newspapers 6 and journals should become a thought centre for national and social stability and unity.

March 2 7 Khieu Samphan, Prime Minister of Democratic Cambodia, visits China. April The People’s Bank of China issues metal coins in denominations of 10 cents, 20 cents, 50 cents and 1 Yuan. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) formally decides to resume -270 x 64.5 cm1980 China’s representation in the organisation. Huang Rui, Self-Portrait No. 2, Oil on Canvas, 8 70 x 64.5 cm, 1980 May 3 China successfully launches a long-range rocket in the Pacific Ocean. 1980 Ma Desheng, Self-Portrait, Woodcut, 1980 A state memorial for former Chairman of China, Liu Shaoqi, is held

22 23 Part II / Timeline

1980 / The Stars at the National Art Museum of China, front row from left to right: Qu Leilei, Li Shuang, Zhong Acheng, Ma Desheng, back row from left to right: Wang Keping, Yan Li, Huang Rui, Chen Yansheng, 1980 / Provided by Huang Rui

1980 / From left to right: Wang Keping, Ma Desheng, Yan Li, Qu Leilei and Huang Rui in Huang Rui' s courtyard, 1980 / Provided by Huang Rui

in Beijing. Liu was denounced as a “capitalist roader” during October 9 1981 the Cultural Revolution, but his reputation is posthumously A National Conference on City Planning is held in Beijing, rehabilitated by Deng Xiaoping’s government in 1980. proposing the collection of locally-retained land use fees as a source of funds for urban infrastructure development. June The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of 10 6 An agreement on civil air transport is signed in Beijing China issues a note to the Soviet Embassy to protest the 1949 between the People’s Republic of China and Thailand. intrusion of the Soviet army into Inner Mongolia. Dries Van Agt, the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, visits July China. Agreements on economic and technical cooperation 1979 200 The Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress as well as on cultural cooperation are signed between China of China expresses strong support for North Korea on and the Netherlands. 2 the independent and peaceful reunification of the Korean · Peninsula. November The National Minority Literature Conference is held in Beijing. The public trial of the Gang of Four begins in Beijing. The Of the Same Generation Exhibition opens at the National China International Trust and Investment Corporation, Beijing Art Museum of China in Beijing. Of the Same Generation is Machinery and Electrical Equipment Company and Japan 11 3 the first unofficial art group to exhibit at NAMOC. Oriental Leasing Co., Ltd. sign a contract in Beijing on the joint establishment of the China Oriental Leasing Company - the August first Sino-foreign joint venture leasing company in China after The Standing Committee of the Fifth National People's 1949. Congress approves the State Council’s decision to establish 4 Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in Shenzhen, Zhuhai and December Shantou in Guangdong Province, as well as in Xiamen in The spokesman from the Information Division of the Ministry Fujian Province. of Foreign Affairs expresses the Chinese Government's 12 protest concerning the Dutch Government’s approval of the September sale of submarines to Taiwan. Zhao Ziyang is promoted to the position of Chinese Premier, Volume 1 of the Selected Works of Zhou Enlai is released replacing Mao’s chosen successor Hua Guofeng. across the nation.

24 25 Part II / Timeline

1981 / Huang Rui in his studio, 1981 / Photographed by Chen Fan

5 May The government of the Netherlands confirms the construction of two submarines for Taiwan, with the result that diplomatic ties between China and the Netherlands are downgraded to Charge d' Affaires level. The first American film week is held in China in cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Wuhan and Xi’an. Five films are screened, including: Singin’ in the Rain, Snow White and Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner. 6 June The Central Committee of the CPC re-announces a summary of notes on the forum on urban public security in five major cities, including Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Wuhan. A policy of comprehensive public security management is implemented. 9 1981 China Daily is officially published - the first national newspaper in English since 1949. A year of more cautious economic development is ushered in by Party leader Chen Yun. An exhibition of works from the September Boston Museum of Fine Arts is held in Beijing. The first issue China successfully launches three satellites into orbit of China Daily is published in June - the first national English simultaneously. newspaper since 1949. Other developments include the Beijing subway phase 1 is officially delivered for operation. opening of Phase 1 of the subway line in Beijing, and a civil The 100th anniversary of the birth of Lu Xun is held in Beijing. aviation link between Tianjin and Hong Kong. Commodity An exhibition of works from the Boston Museum of Fine 11 purchasing power is reported to have increased by 20 billion Arts is held in the National Art Museum of China in Beijing. RMB since 1979. This is the first large-scale exhibition of Western abstract expressionist paintings in China. February The first large-scale high-throughput atomic reactor to have November 12 been designed and built in China is completed in the South- Xinhua News Agency reports that postgraduates pursuing / West. doctoral degrees will be recruited from this year. From left to right: Mang Ke, Ma Desheng, Yin Guangzhong and Yan Li / The Traditional Chinese Painting Research Institute is Image provided by Yan Li March established in Beijing. The State Family Planning Commission is established as part 1981 / of the State Council. December Li Shuang in front of her painting, 1981 / Image provided by Yan Li Mao Dun, the noted novelist and cultural critic, dies in Beijing. Annual production of bicycles, sewing machines and watches produced by the Light Industry Department is reported to April have increased significantly. The Chinese team is victorious in the World Table Tennis Championships held in Novi Sad, Yugoslavia. The People’s Liberation Army Daily publishes an article entitled “The Four Cardinal Principles Cannot Be Violated – Critique of the Film Script Bitter Love”. T h e s c r e e n w r i t e r Bai Hua will endure continuous attacks and criticism in the following years.

26 27 Part II / Timeline

1982 1982

1982 By 1982, complaints about the influence of cultural forms February have been drawn together by the government into a The China National Offshore Oil Corp. is formally established “Campaign Against Spiritual Pollution”, suggesting the in Beijing. · negative influence of Western culture. British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher visits China, and gives a speech re- April 10 affirming the validity of Sino-British treaties regarding The Central Committee of the CPC and the State Council the territory; this sparks student protests in Hong Kong. announce their intentions to punish grievous economic According to the national census, the Chinese population has crimes. 1 now surpassed 1 billion people. Fine Arts magazine organises An exhibition of German Expressionist paintings opens at the ·· a national conference on art theory. Cultural Palace of Nationalities in Beijing. January May Deng Xiaoping meets an Algerian delegation led by US Vice President George Bush visits China. 2 Muhammad Haji Aral. Volume I of the Selected Works of Liu Shaoqi, compiled by June Editorial Committee on Party Literature, is published. Fine Arts magazine organises a national conference on art 4 theory in Shennongjia, Hubei Province. 1982 / July Ma Desheng in front of his work, 1982 / Photographed by Li Xiaobin The third national census begins. The State Council approves rules for study abroad at one’s 1982 / 5 own expense. Ma Desheng in his studio, 1982 / Photographed by Li Xiaobin · September The 12th National Congress of the CPC is held in Beijing. 6 British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher visits China. She is the first British Prime Minister to do so. Meetings with Zhao 10 Ziyang and Deng Xiaoping result in the straining of relations over Hong Kong. 7 The Chairman of the China Artists Association, Jiang Feng, dies. 1,031,882,511 10 The Exhibition of 250 Years of French Painting opens at the 6 Beijing Exhibition Centre. 9 October The government resolves that foreigners may travel to · twenty-nine cities and counties without having to apply for a travel permit or giving prior notice. The National Bureau of Statistics states the population to be 1,031,882,511 - thus surpassing 1 billion people. Chinese gymnast Li Ning wins an unprecedented six gold medals at the Sixth Artistic Gymnastics World Cup. 79 x 54 cm1982 Huang Rui, Self-Portrait, Oil on canvas, 79 x 54 cm, 1982

28 29 Part II / Timeline

1983 / From left to right: Wang Keping, Huang Rui and Yan Li at Huang Rui' s house, 1983 / 1983 / Provided by Huang Rui From left to right: Ma Desheng, Wang Keping and Huang Rui in front of Zixin Road 1983 / Elementary School in Xuanwu District, Beijing, From left to right: the poet Duoduo and Huang Rui at Huang Rui' s house, 1983 / 1983 / Provided by Huang Rui Provided by Huang Rui

March Xinhua News Agency reports that over 600 Sino-foreign joint ventures have come about, attracting foreign investment of USD 1.7 billion since the law on Sino-foreign joint ventures was passed in 1979. Minister of Health Qian Xinzhong wins the first United Nations Population Award, along with Indira Gandhi.

April The central delegation of the Communist Party of India makes a two-week visit to Beijing. The famous Chinese painter Zhang Daqian dies in Taipei at the age of 81.

May An exhibition of works by Picasso opens at the National Art 1983 Museum of China. July 600 5 Selected works of Deng Xiaoping is published throughout the 52 country. · August 7 1983 People’s Daily announces rules on the administration of foreign exchange for overseas Chinese enterprises, foreign- 1 Xinhua News Agency reports that over 600 Sino-foreign owned enterprises and Sino-foreign joint ventures. 8 joint ventures have come about; the PRC announces a trade surplus of USD 5.2 billion. In what is to be a historic speech, September Deng Xiaoping states that it should be permitted for a The Fifth National Games is held in Shanghai. portion of the population to “become rich first”. Exhibitions of The State Council issues rules on tobacco monopoly, officially Italian Renaissance art, Picasso, Edvard Munch and French setting forth the national tobacco monopoly system. 9 oil painting are held in Beijing. At the close of the year, the Campaign Against Spiritual Pollution becomes a nationwide October 5 movement. The World Tourism Organisation accepts China as a full member. 3 January During the Second Plenum of the 12th CPC Congress, 1979 10 Deng Xiaoping states that it should be permitted for a portion Deng Xiaoping emphasises the need to combat “spiritual of the population to become rich first. pollution”. The Campaign Against Spiritual Pollution becomes 600 17 Li Xianting, Editor of the January issue of Fine Arts magazine, a nationwide movement. commissions a series of essays on abstract art. He is An exhibition of work by Edvard Munch opens at the National · criticised for this and demoted. The following year, he ceases Art Museum of China. cooperation with the magazine. Contemporary Literary Trends (Dang Dai Wen Yi Si Chao, December 4 ) publishes an article on the emerging poetry The nation launches celebrations for the 90th anniversary of 12 community by Xu Jingya. His views on Misty Poetry reportedly Mao’s birth. 90 generate major repercussions amongst literary theorists.

30 31 Part II / Timeline b Timeline of the Stars and Foreign Literature Magazine 1978 - 1983

1978 1978

10 October 4 8 Following discussions at Huang Rui’s house, Huang Rui, Bei Dao and Mang Ke decide to launch unofficial literary magazine To d a y (Jin Tian, ). Huang Rui will serve as its Art Editor, design the covers and write art commentary essays for the magazine. Huang Rui meets Ma Desheng, Zhong Acheng and Qu Leilei through preparation work for 12 To d a y . 12 23 1978-1980 December 4 12.23: The first issue of To d a y is distributed at the Democracy Wall. This is the first purely literary publication to have arisen as part of the Beijing Spring Democracy Movement (1978-1980). Hundreds of 76 limited edition mimeographed copies are sold. 1979

4 5 1979 4 1 , April 4.1: The amateur photography group April Photography Society holds its first exhibition in Zhongshan Park. Huang Rui, Ma Desheng and Zhong Acheng visit the exhibition and are greatly inspired. They become friends with photographers Chi Xiaoning, Li Xiaobin, Wang Zhiping and Ren Shulin. 4.8: To d a y magazine holds its first outdoor poetry reading in Bayi Park (later renamed Yuyuantan Park). Qu L eilei’s pen drawings are displayed; Huang Rui painted the stage backdrop on a bed sheet. The success of this event encourages Huang Rui to organise a young artists’ group. Together with Ma Desheng, he decides the criteria 1979 9 27 / for selecting its members – they must be independent artists or Preface to the Stars Exhibition, September 27, 1979 / Photographed by Chi Xiaoning professional artists with views against the mainstream system. The group will focus on contemporary political, cultural and art historical 1979 / issues. Advertisement for the Stars Exhibition painted by At the end of April, Huang Rui and Ma Desheng establish a preparatory Huang Rui, 1979 / Image provided by Huang Rui artist group with fellow members Zhong Acheng, Qu Leilei, Bo Yun (Li Yongcun), Xue Mingde, Tang Pinggang, Guan Naixin and Yu Meihao. An initial establishment meeting is held at the To d a y editorial office at No. 76, Dongsi 14 Tiao, Beijing. No decision is reached because of interference from Xue Mingde. 1979 9 27

The Stars Exhibition attracts numerous viewers on September 27, 1979 / Photographed by Chi Xiaoning

32 33 Part II / Timeline

6 1979 9 28 / On the second day of the Stars Exhibition, many police officers arrive to ban the exhibition, September 28, 1979 / Photographed by Chi Xiaoning 9 9 May The years march toward us; there are no mysterious signs After meeting Wang Keping through Qu Leilei, Huang Rui and guiding our actions. This is precisely the challenge that life has 9 27 10 3 Ma Desheng decide on the central members of the group, which given us. We cannot remove the element of time; the shadow of 9 27 include Wang Keping, Qu Leilei, Zhong Acheng, Bo Yun, Gan the past and the light of the future are folded together, forming 23 150 Shaocheng, Zhu Jinshi, Wang Luyan, Yan Li and Li Shuang. By the environment in which we live. It is our responsibility to live on early summer, preparations for their first exhibition are complete. steadfastly and remember each lesson learned……” June The outdoor exhibition is well received. In addition to intellectuals Huang Rui and Ma Desheng apply to Liu Xun, Chairman of the and friends that the artists have invited, the exhibition also Beijing Artists Association, to mount a formal exhibition. attracts many curious passers-by. Starting with this exhibition, Chi Xiaoning and Ren Shulin begin filming an independent : September documentary film on the Stars Exhibition. At the beginning of September, Huang Rui, Ma Desheng, Wang 9.28: Police officers from the Dongcheng District Branch Keping and the other artists name the exhibition The Stars intervene, claiming that the exhibition “affects public order and Exhibition (Xing Xing Mei Zhan, ). As the Beijing Artists environmental cleanliness”. They call for the cancellation of the Association continues not to approve the exhibition, they select exhibition, and bring students from the Public Security School to a park on the East side of the National Art Museum of China as create a disturbance. In order to stabilise the situation, Huang Rui the site, and plan to stage the exhibition over the National Day and Ma Desheng negotiate with police officers at the Dongcheng holiday from 17th September to 3rd October. District Branch office, refusing to cancel the exhibition. 9.27: The works and the exhibition preface for the proposed 9.29: The Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau (Dongcheng Stars Exhibition are hung on the park fence of the National Art District Branch) issues a notice: Museum of China. There are close to 150 works by 23 artists. The artists participating in the first Stars Exhibition are Huang “Recently, it has been discovered that certain persons have been 1979 9 27 Rui, Ma Desheng, Wang Keping, Ai Weiwei, Bo Yun, Zhong hanging posters and holding an exhibition in the National Art Viewers participate in the Stars Exhibition on September 27, 1979 / Photographed by Chi Xiaoning Acheng, Shao Fei, Shao Jingkun, Mao Lizi, Li Shuang, Qu Leilei, Museum of China park, which has affected daily life and social 9 28 Yan Li, Zhou Maiyou, Zhu Jinshi, Yin Guangzhong, Guan Naixin, order. 1979 9 27 Yang Yiping, Gan Shaocheng, He Baosen, Wang Luyan, Zheng With the aim of preserving social order, holding exhibitions Viewers enjoying the works in the Stars Exhibition on September 27, 1979 / Zhenting, Cao Liwei and Wang Jianzhong. and sticking, hanging or writing any kind of publicity material Photographed by Chi Xiaoning or character posters is not permitted in this park, according 1979 / Preface to the first Stars Exhibition: to the regulations of The People’s Republic of China Security Invitation card of the Stars Exhibition, 1979 / Provided by Huang Rui “We, twenty-three art explorers, present to you some of the fruits Administration Penalty Law …Violators will be penalised……” 9 29 of our labours. The world offers unlimited possibilities for explorers. 9.29: On the morning of the 29th, Huang Rui and the other We see the world with our own eyes, and participate in it with our artists discover that the artworks have been removed by the brushes and chisels. Our artworks contain various emotions, police. This results in a heated argument between the police and and our emotions reflect our individual ideals. the artists. Around noon, Liu Xun, representing the Beijing Artists

34 35 Part II / Timeline

10 9 11 -12 1979 9 29 / 11 23 12 2 The confiscated works by the Stars artists are kept in the storage room of the National Art Museum of China on September 29, 1979 / Photographed by Chi Xiaoning 11 12 Association (and later the Beijing Municipal Government), exhibition creates a stir in Beijing. announces that the exhibition must close on account of Late-November and mid-December: Liu Xun and Li Xianting 9 29 30 , , : security measures for the National Day holiday. The artworks hold two symposia linked to the exhibition at Huafang Zhai and will be returned, but can only be exhibited at a Beijing Artists the National Art Museum of China. Association venue after 10th October (the end of the public After the exhibition, Huang Rui and Ma Desheng give a report to 10 1 holiday). Liu Xun: 9.29/30: Following discussion between members of the Stars Exhibition and members of underground publications such “From November 23 to December 2, 1979, the Stars Exhibition as Today, April 5th Forum, Fertile Ground, Beijing Spring and has attracted around 33,000 visitors, with more than 8100 9 30 Explore, a protest march is planned for 1st October - the 30 year visitors on the last day alone. According to employees at anniversary of the establishment of the People’s Republic of the park, this exhibition has reached an unparalleled level of 10 China. It is decided to begin at Democracy Wall and end at the popularity. Beijing Municipal Government building. The protest slogan is “We Fourteen suggestion books have been filled at the exhibition, 10 1 want political democracy! We want artistic freedom!” The front and they include close to a hundred poems. Five provinces and line leaders of the march are Xu Wenli, Huang Rui, Lu Pu and Bei cities have invited the exhibition to tour there (in Yunnan, Hunan, Dao, with Wang Keping, Liu Qing and Mang Ke behind them. Tianjin, Nanjing and Dongbei), and some invitations have been 9.30: Liu Xun requests that the Stars artists abandon the march; offered by persons in charge of artists associations. Some they refuse. German and French people have suggested that we exhibit abroad. October Visitors from the fine art world include Jiang Feng, Liu Xun, Hua 10.1: In the morning, the protesters gather at Democracy Wall Junwu, Cai Ruohong, Ye Qianyu, Huang Yongyu, Zhang Ding, Wu in Xidan. The leaders, including Huang Rui and Ma Desheng, Guanzhong and professors and teachers from the Academy of give statements or make speeches. As the planned route of the Fine Arts and the Academy of Art and Design. march along Chang’an Avenue is blocked by police, it is altered Visitors from the art and literature world include Ai Qing, to Qiansanmen Avenue. Chen Dengke, Xie Tian, a famous composer from the Central Upon reaching the Municipal Government building, the leaders Philharmonic Orchestra, the novelist Qu Bo, etc. of the march present a letter of protest, and the group disperses. Persons in charge of the CPC Municipal Committee also came 10.9: To d a y magazine holds its second outdoor poetry reading in to the exhibition. ……” Bayi Park.

November - December 1979 9 29 / 11.23-12.2: Liu Xun arranges for the Stars Exhibition to be The police bans the Stars Exhibition and hangs an moved to a venue belonging to the Beijing Artists Association - announcement on the fence on September 29, 1979 Huafang Zhai in Beihai park. Reopening after its suppression, the / Provided by Huang Rui

36 37 Part II / Timeline

1980

3

1980 8 7 The Stars artists wait outside the National Art Museum of China, back row from left to right: Li Shuang, Yan Li, Chen Yansheng, Huang Rui, Yang 7 Yiping, Zhong Acheng, Guo Xinyu and Zhu Jinshi, August 1980 / Photographed by Chi Xiaoning 7 28 1980 8 -9 March There are more than 100,000 visitors to the exhibition over 8 Fine Arts (Mei Shu, magazine publishes an article by 18 days, far exceeding the museum’s previous records. More 8 16 Editor Li Xianting on the Stars artists, as well as an article in than 9000 tickets are sold on the last day alone. 8 20 9 4 which the writer and Stars artist, Qu Leilei, proclaims “Art for Artists participating in the second Stars Exhibition include the sake of self-expression”. The article prompts discussions Huang Rui, Ma Desheng, Wang Keping, Ai Weiwei, Bo Yun, about the function of art. Zhong Acheng, Song Hong, Shao Fei, Mao Lizi, Li Shuang, Qu Leilei, Yan Li, Wang Luyan, Zhou Maiyou, Zhu Jinshi, Yin July Guangzhong, Guan Naixin, Yang Yiping, Gan Shaocheng, Zhi At the beginning of July, on the suggestion of Liu Xun, the Zhong, Zhang Shiqi, He Baosen, Liu Daxuan, Xiao Dayuan, Li Stars artists hold a meeting at Huang Rui’s house and decide Yongqi, Bao Pao, Chen Yansheng, He Baosen, Zhao Dalu and to establish the Stars Group. They successfully register as Zhao Gang. part of the Beijing Artists Association. In September, Stars artists Huang Rui, Ma Desheng, Wang : 7.28: The first issue of Foreign Literature (Wai Guo Wen Keping, Zhong Acheng and Qu Leilei are invited by the student Xue, ) is issued by the Foreign Language Teaching council of the Central Academy of Fine Arts to give lectures and Research Press, a subsidiary of Beijing Foreign Studies at the university. Chen Danqing, a graduate student at CAFA, University. creates a large number of portrait sketches for the five artists. 1979 / The Stars Exhibition reopens at the Beihai Huafang Zhai and is well-received by viewers, August-September October-the following January 1979 / Photographed by Chi Xiaoning 9 To d a y magazine is suspended from this month, as its On the invitation of artists from other provinces, Huang Rui application to become a registered publication has been and Ma Desheng embark on a trip to promote the Stars, rejected by the Ministry of Culture. meet other artists and visit historical cities and famous 8.16: People’s Daily publishes an advertisement for the mountains. Chen Yansheng participates in part of the trip. second Stars Exhibition. From late October to early January, they visit twenty-nine 10 -1981 1 8.20-9.4: On the recommendation and with the approval of cities and regions including Datong, Taiyuan, Xi’an, Baoji, Jiang Feng, Chairman of the China Artists Association, the Yibin, Chengdu, Guiyang, Chongqing, Wanxian, Dazu, Guilin, second Stars Exhibition is formally displayed on the third Xining, Beihai, Zhanjiang, Haikou, Guangzhou, Hangzhou and floor of the National Art Museum of China. The number of Shanghai. 10 1 29 participating artists has swelled to thirty-seven. They give around ten lectures on the Stars exhibitions and Because of the profits gained from ticket sales, the museum contemporary art in the Shanxi Jincheng region, at the Xi’an offers to extend the exhibition by three days to September 7. Artists Association, the Sichuan Fine Arts Institute, Guiyang

38 39 Part II / Timeline

1982 1981 1980 After the Stars Exhibition closes, Chen Fan photographs Bao Pao' s works on the rooftop of the National Art Museum of China, 1980 / 9 13 Provided by Huang Rui 8 Artists Association, the Fine Art Department of Guangxi Editor-in-Chief, who informs him that there is too much 1983 Teachers Education University in Liuzhou City, the Art pressure involved in keeping him on as Art Editor; this is most School of Guilin and the graduate student dormitory at the likely due to his involvement with the Stars. He is replaced by Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts. There are close to 2000 an artistically conservative graduate of the Central Academy 8 14 audience members. of Fine Arts. The high-level conservatives in the art world fear the success 1981 of the Stars exhibitions. Riding on the wave of the Campaign Against Spiritual Pollution, they launch an attack on Jiang Feng because of his support of the Stars. He dies in Beijing on 9 Huang Rui, Ma Desheng and Wang Keping, who were September 13. originally Beijing Artists Association members, are not 81 85 The China Artists Association magazine, Artists permitted to re-enroll. 84 85 Communications, published at the end of the year, criticises the Stars exhibitions. August On the recommendation of a friend, Huang Rui joins Foreign Literature magazine as Art Editor. This position is not directly connected to the Stars, whose activities (and those of To d a y 1983 magazine) can no longer be public due to greater political constraints. Huang Rui does, however, stay connected to the 8.14: An exhibition of work by Huang Rui, Ma Desheng and Stars artists by using their works as illustrations for Foreign Wang Keping is held in two classrooms at the Zixin Road Literature magazine. Elementary School in Xuanwu District, Beijing. On its fifth day, Ai Weiwei moves to the United States for further study. the show is closed down by the local Public Security Bureau. Soon afterwards, the government’s Campaign Against September Spiritual Pollution spreads nationwide. Huang Rui applies to Li Shuang is arrested because of “incomplete procedures” in leave China, and moves to Japan a year later. Yan Li leaves for her application to marry a French diplomat, and is sentenced the USA at the same time, where Ai Weiwei has been living to re-education through labour. since 1981. Qu Leilei goes to the UK in 1985 whilst Li Shuang, Ma Desheng, Wang Keping and Mao Lizi leave for France in 1984-85. 1982

At the beginning of the summer, Huang Rui leaves his position 1980 8 1983 8 at Foreign Literature magazine. Invitation for the second Stars Exhibition, August 1980 / Invitation card of the exhibition Ma Desheng, Huang Rui and Wang Keping: New Works of Ink Provided by Huang Rui Paintings, Oil Paintings and Woodcuts, August 1983 / Provided by Huang Rui His departure is provoked by information from the magazine’s

40 41 Part III / Images

42 43 Part III / Images

a Huang Rui Art Editor for Foreign Literature

Huang Rui Untitled Pen and ink on paper 19.8 x 27.6 cm 1982

44 45 Part III / Images a Huang Rui / Art Editor for Foreign Literature

Huang Rui Huang Rui Untitled Untitled Pen and ink on paper Pen and ink on paper 30.5 x 21.1 cm 30.5 x 21.1 cm 1982 1982

46 47 Part III / Images a Huang Rui / Art Editor for Foreign Literature

Huang Rui Huang Rui Untitled 1981 11 Illustration for Foreign Literature, November 1981 Pen and ink on paper Pen and ink on paper 30.3 x 21.1 cm 19.4 x 18 cm 1982 1981

48 49 Part III / Images a Huang Rui / Art Editor for Foreign Literature

Illustration by Huang Rui Illustration by Huang Rui 1981 9 Foreign Literature, September 1981 1981 9 Foreign Literature, September 1981 Ink print Ink print 26 x 18.7 cm 26 x 18.7 cm

Huang Rui 1981 9 Illustration for Foreign Literature, November 1981 Pen and ink on paper 15.4 x 18.5 cm 1981

50 51 Part III / Images a Huang Rui / Art Editor for Foreign Literature

Zhong Acheng Zhong Acheng 1982 3 Untitled Illustration for Foreign Literature, March 1981 Ink on paper Ink on paper 22.2 x 14 cm 26.8 x 10.6 cm 1982 1982

52 53 Part III / Images a Huang Rui / Art Editor for Foreign Literature

Illustration by Huang Rui Illustration by Huang Rui Illustration by Huang Rui Illustration by Huang Rui 1982 1 Foreign Literature, January 1982 1982 1 Foreign Literature, January 1982 1982 2 Foreign Literature, February 1982 1982 2 Foreign Literature, February 1982 Ink print Ink print Ink print Ink print 26 x 18.7 cm 26 x 18.7 cm 26 x 18.7 cm 26 x 18.7 cm

54 55 Part III / Images a Huang Rui / Art Editor for Foreign Literature

Ma Desheng 1981 12 Illustration for Foreign Literature, December 1981 Woodcut 26.5 x 36.7 cm 1981

56 57 Part III / Images a Huang Rui / Art Editor for Foreign Literature

Ma Desheng 1982 8 Illustration for Foreign Literature, August 1982 Woodcut Ma Desheng 20.8 x 28 cm 1982 8 Illustration for Foreign Literature, August 1982 1982 Woodcut 28.5 x 22.2 cm 1982

58 59 Part III / Images a Huang Rui / Art Editor for Foreign Literature

Ma Desheng Ma Desheng 1981 12 Untitled Illustration for Foreign Literature, December 1981 Woodcut Woodcut 26.8 x 19.7 cm 43.8 x 22.6 cm 1981 1981

60 61 Part III / Images a Huang Rui / Art Editor for Foreign Literature

Illustration by Ma Desheng Illustration by Ma Desheng Illustration by Ma Desheng Illustration by Ma Desheng 1982 8 Foreign Literature, August 1982 1982 8 Foreign Literature, August 1982 1982 5 Foreign Literature, May 1982 1982 5 Foreign Literature, May 1982 Ink print Ink print Ink print Ink print 26 x 18.7 cm 26 x 18.7 cm 26 x 18.7 cm 26 x 18.7 cm

62 63 Part III / Images a Huang Rui / Art Editor for Foreign Literature

Qu Leilei 1981 12 Illustration for Foreign Literature, December 1981 Pen on paper 19.6 x 13.7 cm 1981 Qu Leilei 1981 12 Illustration for Foreign Literature, December 1981 Pen on paper 19.6 x 13.7 cm 1981

64 65 Part III / Images a Huang Rui / Art Editor for Foreign Literature

Zhong Acheng Zhong Acheng 1981 11 Illustration for Foreign Literature, November 1981 1981 11 Illustration for Foreign Literature, November 1981 Pen on paper Pen on paper 25.9 x 17.7 cm 25.8 x 18.5 cm 1981 1981

66 67 Part III / Images a Huang Rui / Art Editor for Foreign Literature

Zhong Acheng Illustration by Zhong Acheng Illustration by Zhong Acheng 1981 11 Illustration for Foreign Literature, November 1981 1982 10 Foreign Literature, October 1981 1982 10 Foreign Literature, October 1981 Pen on paper Ink print Ink print 14.4 x 20.9 cm 26 x 18.7 cm 26 x 18.7 cm 1981

68 69 Part III / Images a Huang Rui / Art Editor for Foreign Literature

Illustration by Yuan Yunsheng Illustration by Yuan Yunsheng 1982 2 Foreign Literature, February 1982 1982 2 Foreign Literature, February 1982 Ink print Ink print 26 x 18.7 cm 26 x 18.7 cm

Yuan Yunsheng 1982 2 Illustration for Foreign Literature, February 1982 Ink on paper 20.7 x 19.5 cm 1982

70 71 Part III / Images a Huang Rui / Art Editor for Foreign Literature

Illustration by Wang Huaiqing Illustration by Wang Huaiqing 1982 3 Foreign Literature, March 1982 1982 3 Foreign Literature, March 1982 Ink print Ink print 26 x 18.7 cm 26 x 18.7 cm

Wang Huaiqing 1982 3 Illustration for Foreign Literature, March 1982 Ink on paper 37.5 x 24.9 cm 1982

72 73 Part III / Images a Huang Rui / Art Editor for Foreign Literature

Sun Weimin 1982 3 Foreign Literature, March 1982 Ink print 26 x 18.7 cm

Sun Weimin 1982 3 Illustration for Foreign Literature, March 1982 Pen on paper 24.3 x 15.4 cm 1982

74 75 Part III / Images

b Huang Rui and Ma Desheng Illustrations for Poetry Collections

Huang Rui 1979 1 Cover of Today, Issue No. 1 (January 1979 reprint) Ink print 25.2 x 18 cm 1978

76 77 Part III / Images b Huang Rui and Ma Desheng / Illustrations for Poetry Collections

Huang Rui Flyleaf of Collections of Poems by Bei Dao Back Cover of Collections of Poems by Bei Dao Ink print and pen on paper Ink print 25.8 x 17.5 cm 25.8 x 17.5 cm 1982 1982

Huang Rui Cover of Collections of Poems by Bei Dao Ink print 25.8 x 17.5 cm 1982

78 79 Part III / Images b Huang Rui and Ma Desheng / Illustrations for Poetry Collections

Huang Rui Huang Rui Cover of The Unfamiliar Beach by Bei Dao Cover of Start From Here by Jiang He Ink print Ink print 26 x 18.7 cm 25.8 x 18.6 cm 1982 1982

80 81 Part III / Images b Huang Rui and Ma Desheng / Illustrations for Poetry Collections

Huang Rui Huang Rui Pencil Sketch of the cover of Uninteresting Poems Cover of Uninteresting Poems by Xia Pu (Huang Rui) Pen on paper Ink print 26.9 x 18.5 cm 26.1 x 17.2 cm 1982 1982

82 83 Part III / Images b Huang Rui and Ma Desheng / Illustrations for Poetry Collections

Ma Desheng Flyleaf of Old Dreams by Mang Ke Cover of Old Dreams by Mang Ke Pen on paper and ink print Woodcut 26 x 18.3cm 26 x 18.3cm 1982 1982

84 85 Part III / Images b Huang Rui and Ma Desheng / Illustrations for Poetry Collections

Ma Desheng Ma Desheng Illustration for Old Dreams by Mang Ke Illustration for Old Dreams by Mang Ke Woodcut Woodcut 26 x 18.3 cm Image20.2 x 15.7 cm 26 x 18.3 cm ( Image20.2 x 15.5 cm) 1982 1982

86 87 Part III / Images b Huang Rui and Ma Desheng / Illustrations for Poetry Collections

Ma Desheng Ma Desheng Illustration for Old Dreams by Mang Ke Illustration for Old Dreams by Mang Ke Woodcut Woodcut 26 x 18.3 cm ( Image20.4 x 16 cm 26 x 18.3 cm ( Image20.4 x 16 cm 1982 1982

88 89 Part III / Images b Huang Rui and Ma Desheng / Illustrations for Poetry Collections

Ma Desheng Ma Desheng Illustration for Old Dreams by Mang Ke Illustration for Old Dreams by Mang Ke Woodcut Woodcut 26 x 18.3 cm Image19 x 14.1 cm 26 x 18.3 cm Image20.1 x 15.8 cm 1982 1982

90 91 Part III / Images b Huang Rui and Ma Desheng / Illustrations for Poetry Collections

Ma Desheng Illustration for Old Dreams by Mang Ke Woodcut 26 x 18.3 cm Image20.1 x 15.8 cm 1982

92 93 Part III / Images b Huang Rui and Ma Desheng / Illustrations for Poetry Collections

Ma Desheng Flyleaf of Palm Tree by Mo Fei Cover of Palm Tree by Mo Fei Pen on paper Woodcut 25.3 x 18.4 cm 25.3 x 18.4 cm 1983 1983

94 95 Part III / Images b Huang Rui and Ma Desheng / Illustrations for Poetry Collections

Ma Desheng Ma Desheng Illustration for Palm Tree by Mo Fei Illustration for Palm Tree by Mo Fei Woodcut Woodcut 25.3 x 18.4 cm Image 22.1 x 15.1 cm 25.3 x 18.4 cm Image22.2 x 15 cm 1983 1983

96 97 Part III / Images b Huang Rui and Ma Desheng / Illustrations for Poetry Collections

Ma Desheng Ma Desheng Illustration for Palm Tree by Mo Fei Illustration for Palm Tree by Mo Fei Woodcut Woodcut 25.3 x 18.4 cm Image22.4 x 15 cm 25.3 x 18.4 cm Image22.4 x 15 cm 1983 1983

98 99 Part III / Images b Huang Rui and Ma Desheng / Illustrations for Poetry Collections

Ma Desheng Flyleaf of Cliff by Xue Di Cover of Cliff by Xue Di Pen on paper Woodcut 26 x 16.6 cm 26 x 16.6 cm 1983 1983

100 101 Part III / Images b Huang Rui and Ma Desheng / Illustrations for Poetry Collections

Ma Desheng Ma Desheng Illustration of Cliff by Xue Di Illustration of Cliff by Xue Di Woodcut Woodcut 26 x 16.6 cm Image18.2 x 6.9 cm 26 x 16.6 cm Image5.9 x 13.2 cm 1983 1983

102 103 Part III / Images b Huang Rui and Ma Desheng / Illustrations for Poetry Collections

Ma Desheng Ma Desheng Illustration of Cliff by Xue Di Illustration of Cliff by Xue Di Woodcut Woodcut 26 x 16.6 cm Image11.1 x 12.2 cm 26 x 16.6 cm Image14.8 x 10.8 cm 1983 1983

104 105 Part III / Images b Huang Rui and Ma Desheng / Illustrations for Poetry Collections

Ma Desheng 24 Flyleaf of 24 Short Poems by Yan Li 24 Cover of 24 Short Poems by Yan Li Pen on paper and ink print Woodcut 25.6 x 18.5 cm 25.6 x 18.5 cm 1982 1982

106 107 Part III / Images b Huang Rui and Ma Desheng / Illustrations for Poetry Collections

Ma Desheng Flyleaf of Selection of Poems by Yan Li Cover of Selection of Poems by Yan Li Pen on paper and ink print Woodcut 25.6 x 16.5 cm 25.6 x 16.5 cm Image14.8 x 10.8 cm 1982 1982

108 109 Part III / Images b Huang Rui and Ma Desheng / Illustrations for Poetry Collections

Ma Desheng Ma Desheng Illustration for Selection of Poems by Yan Li Illustration for Selection of Poems by Yan Li Woodcut Woodcut 25.6 x 16.5cm Image13.6 x 11 cm 25.6 x 16.5cm Image15.1 x 11.6cm 1982 1982

110 111 Part III / Images b Huang Rui and Ma Desheng / Illustrations for Poetry Collections

Ma Desheng Ma Desheng Illustration for Selection of Poems by Yan Li Illustration for Selection of Poems by Yan Li Woodcut Woodcut 25.6 x 16.5 cm Image10.2 x 13.2 cm 25.6 x 16.5 cm Image14 x 11.5 cm 1982 1982

112 113 Part III / Images b Huang Rui and Ma Desheng / Illustrations for Poetry Collections

Cover of Sunflower in the Sun by Mang Ke Flyleaf of Sunflower in the Sun by Mang Ke Ink on paper Pen on paper and ink print 24.8 x 17.5 cm 24.8 x 17.5 cm 1984 1984

114 115 Part III / Images b Huang Rui and Ma Desheng / Illustrations for Poetry Collections

Ma Desheng Ma Desheng Illustration for Sunflower in the Sun by Mang Ke Illustration for Sunflower in the Sun by Mang Ke Watercolor and oil on paper Watercolor and oil on paper 24.8 x 17.5 cm Image19.6 x 14.2 cm 24.8 x 17.5 cm Image19.4 x 13.1 cm 1984 1984

116 117 Part III / Images b Huang Rui and Ma Desheng / Illustrations for Poetry Collections

Ma Desheng Ma Desheng Illustration for Sunflower in the Sun by Mang Ke Illustration for Sunflower in the Sun by Mang Ke Watercolor and oil on paper Watercolor and oil on paper 24.8 x 17.5 cm Image12.6 x 13 cm 24.8 x 17.5 cm Image20.4 x 11.6 cm 1984 1984

118 119 Part III / Images b Huang Rui and Ma Desheng / Illustrations for Poetry Collections

Ma Desheng Ma Desheng Illustration for Sunflower in the Sun by Mang Ke Illustration for Sunflower in the Sun by Mang Ke Watercolor and oil on paper Watercolor and oil on paper 24.8 x 17.5 cm Image20.7 x 12.4 cm 24.8 x 17.5 cm Image18 x 10.8 cm 1984 1984

120 121 Part III / Images b Huang Rui and Ma Desheng / Illustrations for Poetry Collections

Ma Desheng Illustration for Sunflower in the Sun by Mang Ke Watercolor and oil on paper 24.8 x 17.5 cm Image8.5 x 14.5 cm 1984

122 123 Part III / Images

c Huang Rui Works on Paper

A selection of improvised sketches created by Huang Rui during the Stars Period.

Huang Rui Woman and Dove Ink on paper 23.8 x 17.2 cm 1981

124 125 Part III / Images c Huang Rui / Works on Paper

Huang Rui Huang Rui Woman and Dove Woman and Dove Ink on paper (ink transfer) Ink on paper 25.9 x 19.2 cm 25.9 x 19.2 cm 1981 1981

126 127 Part III / Images c Huang Rui / Works on Paper

Huang Rui Huang Rui Girls Girls Pencil on paper Pencil on paper 26.9 x 18.6 cm 27.5 x 19.7 cm 1982 1982

128 129 Part III / Images c Huang Rui / Works on Paper

Huang Rui Huang Rui Young People on the Street (front) Young People on the Street (back) Ink on paper Pen on paper 20.9 x 18.4 cm 20.9 x 18.4 cm 1981 1981

130 131 Part III / Images c Huang Rui / Works on Paper

Huang Rui Huang Rui Young People on the Street Lovers Ink and pencil on paper Pencil on paper 27.8 x 19 cm 26.1 x 18.9 cm 1982 1982

132 133 Part III / Images c Huang Rui / Works on Paper

Huang Rui Huang Rui Lovers (front) Lovers (back) Pencil on paper Pencil on paper 26.1 x 18.9 cm 26.1 x 18.9 cm 1982 1982

134 135 Part III / Images c Huang Rui / Works on Paper

Huang Rui Huang Rui Woman Man and Woman Pencil and watercolor on paper Pen on paper 25.4 x 17.4 cm 29.1 x 21.4 cm 1982 1982

136 137 Part III / Images c Huang Rui / Works on Paper

Huang Rui Huang Rui Woman Woman Pen on paper Pen on paper 25.4 x 17.4 cm 27 x 19.4 cm 1982 1982

138 139 Part III / Images c Huang Rui / Works on Paper

Huang Rui Huang Rui Woman Women Pen on paper Pen on paper 29 x 20.5 cm 29.1 x 21.4 cm 1982 1982

140 141 Part III / Images c Huang Rui / Works on Paper

Huang Rui Huang Rui Women Women Pen on paper Pen on paper 29.2 x 20.5 cm 29.4 x 21.6 cm 1982 1982

142 143 Part III / Images c Huang Rui / Works on Paper

Huang Rui Huang Rui Man and Woman Women Pencil on paper Pen on paper 25.4 x 17.4 cm 25.4 x 17.4 cm 1982 1982

144 145 Part III / Images c Huang Rui / Works on Paper

Huang Rui Huang Rui Man and Woman Man and Woman Pencil on paper Pencil on paper 25.4 x 17.4 cm 25.4 x 17.4 cm 1982 1982

146 147 Part III / Images c Huang Rui / Works on Paper

Huang Rui Huang Rui Man and Woman Woman Pencil on paper Pencil on paper 20.7 x 15.5 cm 20.7 x 15.5 cm 1982 1982

148 149 Part III / Images c Huang Rui / Works on Paper

Huang Rui Huang Rui Huang Rui Woman (back) Woman (front) Woman Pencil on paper Pencil on paper Pencil on paper 20.7 x 15.7 cm 20.7 x 15.7 cm 20.7 x 15.7 cm 1982 1982 1982

150 151 Part III / Images c Huang Rui / Works on Paper

Huang Rui Huang Rui Ball of Yarn (based on the female form) Look Ink on paper Ink on paper 10.2 x 15.1 cm 12.6 x 18.5 cm 1982 1982

152 153 Part III / Images c Huang Rui / Works on Paper

Huang Rui Huang Rui White Spider (based on the female form) Press (based on the female form) Ink on paper Ink on paper 15 x 10.4 cm 15 x 10.6 cm 1982 1982

154 155 Part III / Images c Huang Rui / Works on Paper

Huang Rui Huang Rui Modern Sofa (based on the female form) Building Blocks (based on the female form) Ink on paper Ink on paper 15 x 10.4 cm 15 x 10.4 cm 1982 1982

156 157 Part III / Images c Huang Rui / Works on Paper

Huang Rui Huang Rui Weather Vane (based on the female form) Tower Crane (based on the female form) Ink on paper Ink on paper 15 x 10.4 cm 15 x 10.4 cm 1982 1982

158 159 Part III / Images c Huang Rui / Works on Paper

Huang Rui Huang Rui Torpedo (based on the female form) Cobra (based on the female form) Ink on paper Ink on paper 15 x 10.6 cm 15 x 10.3 cm 1982 1982

160 161 Part III / Images c Huang Rui / Works on Paper

Huang Rui Sprouting Potato (based on the female form) Ink on paper 15 x 10.4 cm 1982

162 163 Part III / Images c Huang Rui / Works on Paper

Huang Rui Mrs. TomeMrs. Tome (back) Pen on paper 16.9 x 24 cm 1982

Huang Rui Mrs. TomeMrs. Tome (front) Pen on paper 16.9 x 12 cm 1982

164 165 Part III / Images c Huang Rui / Works on Paper

Huang Rui Huang Rui Woman Woman Pen on paper Pen on paper 16.9 x 12 cm 16.9 x 12 cm 1982 1982

166 167 Part III / Images c Huang Rui / Works on Paper

Huang Rui Huang Rui Woman or Scenery Woman or Scenery Pen on paper Pen on paper 16.9 x 12 cm 16.9 x 12 cm 1982 1982

168 169 Part III / Images c Huang Rui / Works on Paper

Huang Rui Huang Rui Woman Woman Pen on paper Pen on paper 16.9 x 12 cm 16.9 x 12 cm 1982 1982

170 171 Part III / Images c Huang Rui / Works on Paper

Huang Rui Huang Rui Woman or Scenery Woman or Scenery Pen on paper Pen on paper 16.9 x 12 cm 16.9 x 12 cm 1982 1982

172 173 Part III / Images c Huang Rui / Works on Paper

Huang Rui Huang Rui Woman Dream and Freedom Pen on paper Pen on paper 16.9 x 12 cm 16.9 x 12 cm 1982 1982

174 175 Part III / Images c Huang Rui / Works on Paper

Huang Rui Woman or Scenery Pen on paper 12 x 16.9 cm 1982

Huang Rui Hand, Foot, Shoe Pen on paper 16.9 x 12 cm 1982

176 177 Part III / Images c Huang Rui / Works on Paper

Huang Rui Huang Rui Woman or Scenery Woman or Scenery Pen on paper Pen on paper 16.9 x 12 cm 16.9 x 12 cm 1982 1982

178 179 Part III / Images c Huang Rui / Works on Paper

Huang Rui Huang Rui Woman or Scenery Woman or Scenery Pen on paper Pen on paper 16.9 x 12 cm 16.9 x 12 cm 1982 1982

180 181 Part III / Images c Huang Rui / Works on Paper

Huang Rui Huang Rui Woman or Scenery Woman or Scenery Pen on paper Pen on paper 16.9 x 12 cm 16.9 x 12 cm 1982 1982

182 183 Part III / Images c Huang Rui / Works on Paper

Huang Rui Woman or Scenery Pen on paper 16.9 x 12 cm 1982

184 185 Part III / Images

d Stars Artists Works on Paper

The Stars artists would often exchange works amongst themselves; here are reproduced works by other Stars artists which were collected by Huang Rui.

Gan Shaocheng Part and Internal Gouache on cardboard 21.4 x 26.1 cm 1979

186 187 Part III / Images d Stars Artists / Works on Paper

Ai Weiwei Ai Weiwei Dunhuang Mural Sketch Dunhuang Mural Sketch Gouache on paper Gouache on paper 8.9 x 9.4 cm 9.5 x 9 cm 1980 1980

188 189 Part III / Images d Stars Artists / Works on Paper

Ai Weiwei Ai Weiwei Dunhuang Mural Sketch Dunhuang Mural Sketch Gouache on paper Gouache on paper 9.4 x 8.9 cm 9.4 x 8.9 cm 1980 1980

190 191 Part III / Images d Stars Artists / Works on Paper

Ai Weiwei Ai Weiwei Dunhuang Mural Sketch Dunhuang Mural Sketch Gouache on paper Gouache on paper 9.4 x 8.9 cm 9.4 x 8.9 cm 1980 1980

192 193 Part III / Images d Stars Artists / Works on Paper

Ai Weiwei Ai Weiwei Dunhuang Mural Sketch Dunhuang Mural Sketch Gouache on paper Gouache on paper 9.3 x 9 cm 9.3 x 9 cm 1980 1980

194 195 Part III / Images d Stars Artists / Works on Paper

Ai Weiwei Dunhuang Mural Sketch Gouache on paper 9.4 x 8.7 cm 1980

196 197 Part III / Images d Stars Artists / Works on Paper

Li Shuang Untitled Oil pastel on paper 19.1 x 20 cm 1980

198 199 Part IV / Artists' Biographies

200 201 Part IV / Artists' Biographies

Huang Rui Ma Desheng

1952 1952 b. 1952, Beijing b. 1952, Beijing Lives and works in Beijing Lives and works in Paris

Huang Rui’s work incorporates painting, installation, A self-taught artist with no formal training, Ma Desheng worked performance, photography and woodcut printing, and as an industrial draftsman and woodblock print artist before early on made reference to a number of Western artistic beginning to paint with traditional Chinese ink. Ma’s early works influences including Expressionism, Abstract Expressionism were woodcut prints carved sharply with strong chiaroscuro, and Cubism. Following a period of labour in Inner Mongolia, showing the influence of Western Realism and Expressionism. 1979 1978 26 Huang returned to Beijing and worked at a leather company In 1978, at the age of 26, Ma participated in the publication of 1978 1982 until 1979. At the time, he studied art briefly at Beijing popular unofficial journal To d a y , with two woodcut prints and 1983 Workers‘ Cultural Centre. Commencing in 1978, Huang co- a short story. In 1982, Ma’s work was shown at the Brooklyn published the unofficial journal To d a y - considered one of the Museum in New York. The following year, he exhibited alongside 1984 2001 1985 most radical publications to have arisen after the Cultural Huang Rui and Wang Keping in Beijing and had a solo exhibition 2002 798 Revolution. Huang relocated to Tokyo in 1984, where he began in Lausanne, Switzerland. Ma lived in Switzerland in 1985, and producing installation art works. He returned in 2001, and relocated to France a year later. Further exhibitions include 798B.T.A.P.) 200720082008 made his home and studio in the 798 Art District in 2002 – Foire de Paris at the Grand Palais, Paris (2007 and 2008) 2003 798 2002 one of its earliest occupants. That same year, Huang brought and Go China! at the Groninger Museum, the Netherlands 2010 in the gallery Beijing Tokyo Art Projects (B.T.A.P.). Starting (2008). Since 2002, Ma Desheng has been using propylene from 2003, he organised the Dashanzi International Art as an artistic material. His magnum opus is Story of Stone, 2008 1978 Festival for four consecutive years, which greatly contributed shown as a solo exhibition at Hong Kong Arts Centre in 2010. 2007 -CHINA to the protection of the 798 industrial complex and its Ma organized the two Stars exhibitions with Huang Rui, and transformation into an official art zone. Recent important participated in both with woodcut prints. Huang Rui and Ma 2007 exhibitions include: China Avant-Garde at the Groninger Desheng met in 1978 through To d a y magazine. 2007 Museum, the Netherlands (2008), Huang Rui, The Stars’ 1979 Times at Hexiangning Museum in Shenzhen, China (2007), Chai-na/China at Les Rencontres d' Arles, France (2007) and Made in China at the Louisiana Museum, Denmark (2007). Huang Rui is one of the most controversial artists in the history of Chinese contemporary art; the Stars Group he founded in 1979 was integral to the development of Chinese contemporary art. Huang organised and participated in both Stars exhibitions.

202 203 Part IV / Artists' Biographies

Ai Weiwei Gan Shaocheng

1957 1948 b. 1957, Beijing b. 1948, Beijing Lives and works in Beijing d. 1996 1996

Ai Weiwei is an interdisciplinary artist, architect and cultural Nicknamed Lao Niu and known also as Lao Gan (Old Gan), Gan critic. The son of the poet Ai Qing, Ai was exiled with his Shaocheng remained itinerant throughout his life, but made many 1976 1978 1965 1980 family to Xinjiang at the age of ten. The family returned to friends. Following his graduation from junior high school in 1965, 1982 1984 1 Beijing in 1976, and in 1978, Ai was studying at the Beijing Gan was sent to work in the countryside in Shanxi Province. In Film Academy. By 1982, he had enrolled at the Parsons 1980, he was transferred back to Beijing to await a job assignment, 10 1993 1996 School of Design in New York, and remained in America and in 1984 began to create wood carvings there. A year later, 3 1994 250 11 50 for over ten years. Ai returned to Beijing in 1993, where he alongside fellow artists Shao Fan and Liu Ye, he established an arts 1995 1997 1997 1989 1992 helped establish the artists’ East Village, and published a and crafts research group. Before his premature death in a car series of three books about the generation (Black Cover accident in 1996, Gan had created around 250 wood carvings, 11 1998 Book - 1994, White Cover Book - 1995 and Gray Cover Book stone carvings and 50 paintings in oil; his most prolific years were 2000 1979 - 1997). Ai remains the Artistic Director of China Art Archives between 1989 and 1992. The year of his death, China Art Museum & Warehouse (CAAW), which he co-founded in 1997. In 1998, staged a posthumous exhibition of Gan Shaocheng’s work. Gan Fuck Off he moved to Beijing’s Caochangdi District where he designed came into contact with the Stars Group as a painter. In 1979, He 2003 2003 and built a studio and housing compound. In 2000, Ai curated participated in the Stars Exhibition with four works, and also in the seminal exhibition Fuck Off with critic and curator Feng the second Stars Exhibition. Gan met Huang Rui through To d a y Boyi in Shanghai, and founded the architecture studio FAKE journal writer Shi Tiesheng. 48 Design in 2003. He collaborated with the Swiss firm Herzog 1999 2002 and de Meuron for the Beijing Olympic Stadium in 2003. Major exhibitions of Ai Weiwei’s work include the 48th Venice 2006 12 Biennale, (1999), 1st Guangzhou Triennale (2002), The 5th 2007 2008 29 Asia-Pacific Triennial of Contemporary (2006), Documenta 2010 12 (2007), the Liverpool Biennial (2008) and the 29th Sao Paulo Biennial (2010). His work is held in art collections 1979 internationally. In 1979, Ai met Huang Rui through the poet Bei Dao, and took part in two Stars exhibitions with watercolour paintings.

204 205 Part IV / Artists' Biographies

Li Shuang Qu Leilei

1957 1951 b. 1957, Beijing b. 1951, Qiqihar, Heilongjiang Province Lives and works in Paris Lives and works in London

1976 1958 1964 Upon her graduation from high school in 1976, Li Shuang At the age of 4, Qu Leilei moved with his family to Beijing. He was sent to the countryside for two years to work. Painting was a student of traditional Chinese painting from 1958-1964. 1978 1973 provided an escape from daily physical labour, and after Qu was for a time sent to work in the countryside during 1977 1978 returning to Beijing in 1978, Li worked as a stage designer for the Cultural Revolution. In 1973, he began to study Western the National Youth Art Theatre. The first female artist to marry art history from the Renaissance to the Postmodern, and 1983 1982 1985 a foreigner after the Cultural Revolution (an act that cost her from 1977-1978 enrolled for a year of anatomical studies at 1983 1986 1988 two years of condemnation), Li emigrated to France in 1983. Beijing Medical University. From 1982-1985, he worked as a 1989 Li’s work – primarily oil painting - reflects a belief in Chinese designer at China Central Television, winning the National TV art as a spiritual movement from the heart, while Western Drama Design Award in 1983. Qu attended the Central School paintings concentrate on the scene, or on composition. Whilst of Art and Design from 1986-1988. The following year saw - her early work was in still life and landscape, Li’s oeuvre has several international exhibitions of his work. Qu’s educational developed to embrace figurative subjects, most often that of activities include lecturing at the British Museum, the Ruskin 19892000 1999 a woman with slanted eyes and an air of serenity. Exhibitions School at the University of Oxford, the Royal Academy of - 2005 - 2005 of her work include, in 1989, Tiananmen, June Fourth at the Arts, the University of London School of Oriental and African 20072010 Centre Pompidou, Paris, The Stars: Twenty Years at Tokyo Studies, as well as Sotheby’s and Christie’s auction houses; Gallery, Japan in 2000, La Chine à Rueil at Rueil-Malmaison, he is also the author of a number of books. In 1999, he was 1979 France (2005), Origin Point—Stars Group Retrospective made President of the UK Chinese Brush Painters Society. Exhibition, Beijing Today Art Museum in 2007 and, in 2010, In 2005, his solo exhibition, Everyone’s Life is an Epic, was The Butterfly Dream at Dialogue Space Gallery, Beijing. Li held at the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford. Qu met Huang Shuang was the only woman in the Stars Group in 1979. She Rui through Today magazine, to which he contributed showed her work in both Stars exhibitions. Huang Rui and Ma illustrations; he participated in two Stars exhibitions, firstly Desheng met Li Shuang through the poet Mang Ke. with ink drawings and secondly with oil paintings and ink drawings.

206 207 Part IV / Artists' Biographies

Sun Weimin Wang Huaiqing

1946 1944 b. 1946, Hulin, Heilongjiang Province b. 1944, Beijing Lives and works in Beijing Lives and works in Beijing

1967 1969 1970 Sun Weimin graduated in 1967 from a high school affiliated Wang Huaiqing graduated from the Central Academy of Art with the Central Academy of Fine Arts, and remained there and Design with a Bachelor’s degree in 1969. In 1970, he was 1984 1987 1971 as a teacher. In 1984, Sun entered the oil painting masters sent to work in the countryside in Hebei with his classmates. 1979 programme at the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing, In 1971, he was allocated to the General Political Department and obtained his degree in 1987. He is currently a Professor of the People’s Liberation Army Art Troupe, and worked as a 1981 1980 and Studio Director at the Academy in the Department of stage designer. In 1979, Wang enrolled for a Masters degree 1984 Oil Painting. Other positions held include Vice Chairman at at the Central Academy of Art and Design, graduating in 1984 the Beijing Artists Association, Director of Beijing Oil Painting 1981. He was part of the Of the Same Generation Exhibition Commission and Managing Director of the China Institute of in the Beijing National Art Museum of China in 1980. He is 1997 2004 10 1988 1998 Oil Painting. Major works include the painting Twelfth Lunar best known for a series of paintings depicting deconstructed 5000 Month, which won the bronze medal in the 6th National Art furniture and architecture, which draw on ancient Chinese Exhibition in 1984 and Late Autumn, which was shown in the calligraphy as well as Cubist painting. Wang returned to 1980 Asian Art Show in Japan the same year. Noon was exhibited Beijing from America in 1988. In 1998, his work was shown as 2010-2011 in the 1997 Venice Biennale, whilst Farm in October featured part of the exhibition China 5000 Years at the Guggenheim in the 10th National Art Exhibition in 2004. Sun Weimin was Museum in New York. His work has been exhibited widely, not a Stars artist, but a friend of Huang Rui’s who participated including at the Shanghai Biennale, the National Museum of in the Of the Same Generation Exhibition in Beijing in 1980. China, and the Seattle Art Museum (for the solo show Wang Huaiqing: A Painter's Painter in Contemporary China in 2010- 2011).Wang Huaiqing was not a Stars artist, but a friend of Huang Rui.

208 209 Part IV / Artists' Biographies

Ya n L i Yuan Yunsheng

1954 1937 b. 1954, Beijing b. 1937, Nangtong, Jiangsu Province Lives and works in Shanghai and New York Lives and works in Beijing

1973 1979 7 1955 1956 Avant-garde poet, novelist and artist Yan Li started writing Yuan Yunsheng began to study painting in 1955 at the Central poetry in 1973, and began painting in July 1979. He was Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing. During the Hundred Flowers 1957 involved in the publication of the unofficial journal To d a y . Yan Period in 1956-7, Yuan was impelled to draw on a Post- 20 70 1957 was a major member of the To d a y school which influenced Impressionist mode of painting in opposition to the Socialist Chinese poetry in the 1970s, and was a dominant force in Realism taught at the Academy. In 1957, along with others the Misty Poetry movement, subverting social realism by who had similarly expressed themselves, he was sent to a 1984 6 1962 1979 relying more on emotive and personal imagery. In June 1984, labour camp. He was able to return to the Academy after two 1985 1987 1982 Yan had his first solo exhibition at the Exhibition Hall of the years, and graduated in 1962. In 1979, Yuan worked on a mural People’s Park in Shanghai. Precipitated by his studies there in painting at Beijing Capital Airport, and became a Professor ·· 1985, he moved to New York and started the magazine First in the Mural Painting Department of the Central Academy of 19852002 1983 Line in 1987, collecting together the writings of contemporary Art and Design. Upon invitation from the US government in Chinese poets and translating American poetry. Yan’s writings 1982, Yuan was a visiting lecturer at Harvard and some other + + = 1985 1987 have been translated into several languages. From 1985- universities; at this time he visited De Kooning, Rauschenberg 1987 2002, Yan Li participated in solo and group exhibitions in and George Segal. The following year, he was invited to create 1996 France, England, America, Japan, Sweden, China, Hong Kong a mural entitled Two Ancient Chinese Tales – Blue + Red + and Taiwan. His work has been collected by Fukuoka Museum Ye l l ow = W h i t e ? in the library at Tufts University in Boston. From of Modern Art, Japan and Shanghai Art Museum. Huang Rui 1985-1987, Yuan taught drawing and gave lectures at Harvard; invited Yan Li to participate in two Stars exhibitions. in 1987, he had a solo exhibition in New York’s Soho District, followed by shows in L.A, New York, Amsterdam, Taipei and Beijing. Yuan was invited back to China in 1996, during which year his mural Fable for Mankind was unveiled at Harvard University. Yuan was already a well-known artist by the time of the Stars; he was good friends with Stars artist Qu Leilei.

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Zhong Acheng

1949 b. 1949, Beijing Lives and works in Beijing

Zhong Acheng, also known as Ah Cheng, is a self-taught novelist, screenwriter and painter. During the Cultural Revolution, he was sent to work in Shanxi Province, where he 1979 began painting. He was then transferred to Inner Mongolia to depict the grasslands, and lived for a time in Yunnan before 20 80 returning to Beijing in 1979. There, Zhong worked at the China National Publications Import & Export Corporation and as 1984 an Editor for World Books. He rose to prominence during the 1980s as a member of the Seeking Roots literary movement, 19831984 alongside writers such as Mo Yan; his prose has been 1992 influenced by both classical Chinese and Western literature. In 1984, his first novel King of Chess attracted nationwide attention, winning the national Prize for Excellence in 1983- 1984. Later, Zhong wrote the novels King of Trees and King of Children, thus completing a trilogy of novels. In 1992, he received the Italian Nonino International Prize for his literary achievements. Huang Rui met Zhong through Bei Dao during the publication of To d a y journal; Zhong then participated in both Stars exhibitions.

212 213 2013 Hadrien de Montferrand Gallery Copyright © 2013 belongs to Hadrien de Montferrand Gallery and Huang Rui. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

Iona Whittaker Iona Whittaker Iona Whittaker

Commissioned by Hadrien de Montferrand Gallery Production: Thinking Hands Editor: Iona Whittaker Editorial Coordination: Lu Wanwan Research: Iona Whittaker, Huang Rui, Lu Wanwan Translation: Lu Wanwan Design: Huang Rui, Wang Changqing, Cheng Yan, Mao Ran Copy Editing: Iona Whittaker, Lu Wanwan, Li Yanhua Research Assistance: Chen Yujian, Tian Manling, Zhang Mingmin

Hadrien de Montferrand 4 798 100015 + 86 139 1165 1353 [email protected]

Hadrien de Montferrand Gallery Address: 798 Art District, No. 4 Jiuxianqiao Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100015 + 86 139 1165 1353 [email protected]

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