Artwork Page for Public Grain

Details / Information for Public Grain

Public Grain

2004
(Chinese, b. 1963)
publisher
Support
Chine collé on wove paper
Measurements
Platemark: 71 x 62 cm (27 15/16 x 24 7/16 in.); Sheet: 92.5 x 72.6 cm (36 7/16 x 28 9/16 in.)
Impression
22
Copyright
Copyright
This artwork is known to be under copyright.
Location
Not on view

Description

Chinese-born, New York-based artist Yun-Fei Ji works in the style and format of classical Chinese landscape painting, combining it with contemporary references. Here villagers have gathered large baskets of grain, but foreboding images, such as skeletons or ghosts wearing headdresses at left, and strange hybrid creatures at right, imply imbalance in the world. The artist’s memories from his childhood in Maoist China surface in the form of a portrait of the communist leader, and a red banner, signifying communist propaganda of the Cultural Revolution (1966–1976). During that time, the government transformed the agrarian economy through wide-scale industrialization, displacing farm communities into
collectives for the production of steel.
A vertically oriented color etching and aquatint depicts two towering, woven grain bins in the center. Figures with light skin tones congregate among baskets and a portrait of a man. A translucent pink banner with red characters stretches across the structures. In the foreground, flowering trees with white blossoms rise from dark, craggy landforms. Fine, etched lines and soft washes of color define the figures against a neutral background.

Public Grain

2004

Yun-Fei Ji, Harlan & Weaver

(Chinese, b. 1963)
China, 21th Century

See Also

Visually Similar by AI

    Contact Us

    The information about this object, including provenance, may not be currently accurate. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please fill out the appropriate request form linked below:

    Update or Correct Artwork Information

    Imagery or Rights for Non-Open-Access Artworks

    Report a Website Issue

    Further Questions About This Artwork