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Arts & Communication 1980s: A turning point in the Chinese art market

painting. Yatang Yue was tasked with identifying dozens
of pieces of ancient porcelain, calligraphy, and paintings
scattered throughout the hotel’s premises. This initiative
was prompted by the lack of professional staff members
capable of discerning these artworks. According to
historical records from 1985, the Beijing Hotel possessed a
Figure 4. The Chinese painting: Guanzhong Wu’s Lion Lin Chang Xiang total of 2,746 pieces of calligraphy and paintings spanning
(90 × 350 cm).
from antiquity to the present day.
seriousness. The paintings in the Jingfeng Hotel are held in 3.4. Characteristics of the Chinese art market
19
high regard, akin to a museum collection. Collectors have
played an active role in curating the collection by inviting During the planned economy and public ownership system
artists, selecting painting types and styles, proposing ideas that prevailed from the 1950s to the 1970s, the art market
and requirements, and taking appropriate actions. This primarily revolved around the trading of cultural relics. The
curation process has contributed to the collection’s notably trading of paintings and calligraphy by artists constituted a
higher quality compared to paintings intended primarily minor portion of the market, usually conducted discreetly
for entertainment purposes. As a business entity, the in closed spaces. Likewise, certain art shops only existed
Jingfeng Hotel has contributed to the development of art, to provide visitors with an authentic experience of the
actively engaging in cultural activities and art collections art market. Since it was considered speculative to trade
to the extent possible for a professional unit. calligraphy and paintings openly, artists have relocated
to rural areas away from the constraints of the urban art
3.3.2. Beijing Hotel market.
The Beijing Hotel, the first among eight major hotels in The early market mechanisms of customization
12
the 1980s, was the preferred choice for currency exchange and diplomatic gifts gradually evolved to improve the
among foreign guests visiting Beijing. The Beijing Hotel livelihoods of calligraphers and painters. To supplement
is also favored by the central leadership to meet with their income and enhance their professional status
foreign heads of state, alongside other prominent venues, within the system, many artists began creating works for
such as the Great Hall of the People and Diaoyutai State prestigious venues, such as the Great Hall of the People,
11
Guesthouse . Beijing hotels, and government ministries. As China
underwent reform and opening up, cultural and artistic
The West and East buildings of the Beijing Hotel were
constructed in 1954 and 1973, respectively, to represent exchanges with other countries became more frequent, and
painting institutes around the nation were entrusted with
the features of the old Chinese culture and art following producing national ceremonial paintings for government
the establishment of the People’s Republic of China. In agencies and leaders. The special role of artists from these
addition to the architectural style, Premier Enlai Zhou institutes has greatly contributed to fostering amicable
mandated the incorporation of a national style in interior relations and diplomatic ties between China and other
decoration and specifically instructed the inclusion of nations. In the 1970s and 1980s, renowned artists, such
Chinese calligraphy and painting throughout the Beijing as Keran Li and Songyan Qian, were commissioned to
Hotel.
produce numerous paintings for government layouts and
In view of this, the Beijing Hotel commissioned several international affairs gifts, which included most of their best
artists to depict its premise in the early 1950s after acquiring works (Figure 5).
a sizable collection of celebrated paintings and calligraphy. Commodity painting is a more contentious term
13
The Beijing Hotel’s collection is primarily categorized into compared to layout and gift painting. This distinction
two sections: cultural relics and calligraphy and painting. arises from the unique ecological ecosystem created by
Previously, a sizable amount of antique porcelain and two markets catering to one buyer, resulting from the
calligraphy adorned the restaurant and guest rooms. art markets’ imperfections. International art museums
Furthermore, the Beijing Hotel accommodated several
renowned calligraphers and painters in the 1970s and
1980s, leaving behind several iconic masterpieces. In 1982, 12 A work that the artist has been commissioned by a
20
Yongsheng Qi, the general manager of Beijing Hotel, invited government agency to create according to its requirements.
Yatang Yue, an expert in ancient porcelain, calligraphy, and 13 Commodity painting, mainly copying famous paintings, on
the basis of famous paintings to seize the fashion trend to
11 The first banquet was held at the Beijing Hotel on the night re-create, its style, color, and appearance decoration changes
of the founding ceremony on October 1, 1949. with The Times, cater to popular tastes.

Volume 2 Issue 2 (2024) 8 doi: 10.36922/ac.2028