Chinese Calligraphy and Farmer Paintings

Mr. Wei preparing to write "We love Xi'an"

The last Saturday in May was an art day for us. We met my Chinese teacher, Jin Li at our village gate at 9:30 am. It was a sunny, warm, but not yet hot day. We hopped on a bus and she took us to her friend Wei Jun Ping’s art gallery and studio near the Muslim quarter in Xi’an. The place is off of Shuyuanmen Street which is known as the “Street of Culture and History”. This was the location of the Imperial Ancestral Temple inside the imperial city wall of Chang’an, now Xi’an, capital of China during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 A.D.)

He is writing the first part of "We"

And here: The second part of "We"

On both sides of the street you see shops overflowing with calligraphy brushes, paper, ink stones as well as many styles of calligraphy, paintings, souvenirs and toys. Calligraphy brushes, paper, ink stones and ink are known as the “four treasures”, essential ingredients in the scholar’s life. We saw these come to life when we arrived at Mr. Wei’s shop.

Here is the beginning of "Love"

"Xi'an"

"We love Xi'an"

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Mr Wei also showed us his collection of Farmer Paintings.

Since first coming to Xi'an we have admired the vibrant “farmer” or “peasant” paintings. We first noticed this art form when riding in the Xi’an subway. There are large reproductions there and they add to the bright, engaging atmosphere in the metro. Huxian County, about 25 miles southwest from Xi’an, has a large center of this kind of painting. We have wanted to make a visit there, but that has been impossible due to COVID-19. Wendy told Jin Li how much we liked the paintings and so she brought us to the Wei’s shop.

Below are two delightful paintings as well as images from Xi'an subway where we first introduced to the genre.