As a significant mode of expression within contemporary art in Shandong Province, China, rural realist painting has attracted increasing attention from both the art world and academic scholarship due to its vivid depiction of ordinary people’s lives and its engagement with contemporary social realities. Employing grounded theory, this study conducts an in-depth analysis of the characteristics of “root consciousness” manifested in the artistic practices of rural realist painters from the Qilu School of Painting. The findings indicate that the accumulation of regional cultural traditions, cultural anxiety arising from processes of modernization, and deeply rooted rural experiences collectively function as key driving forces underlying artistic production. Furthermore, these factors promote localized innovations in visual language and generate broader spiritual resonance within society, thereby offering a comprehensive articulation of the “root consciousness” of rural realist painters associated with the Qilu School. On this basis, the study constructs a theoretical model of “root consciousness” specific to rural realist painters of the Qilu School in China, contributing a conceptual framework for future research on rural realist painting.

Authors:
Xiaohui Guo, Handan University, China
Zhennan Lyu, Henan Institute of Technology, China

About the Presenter(s)
Dr Zhennan Lyu is a Lecturer in Digital Media Art at the School of Art and Design, Henan Institute of Technology, China. Research interests include intangible cultural heritage education, design, and contemporary transmission.

See this presentation on the full schedule – Wednesday Schedule

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