Huxian County Farmer's Paintings

-- A representative of the art form

 

huxianMost of the farmer's paintings available in Sinohits.net are from Huxian, a county near Xi'an, the ancient capital of the Qin, Han, and Tang dynasties.

huxian

Huxian County is located on the southwest outskirt of Xi'an in Northwest China's Shaanxi Province, the ancient capital renowned by the cultural heritage of the Qin Dynasty (221-206BC) terracotta warriors and the old city wall. Picturesque in nature, the local people in Huxian have kept up the fine tradition of drawing the dynamic scenes of their daily life. Due to their outstanding achievements in developing this folk art since 1950s, the state Ministry of Culture in 1988 awarded the region the honorary title of "a Village of Chinese Modern Folk Painting."

Huxian paintings feature notable regional tones, marked by pictorial landscape and the rustic life. Using bright colors and exaggerated depictions, the artworks usually boast profound morals. The terse and crisp style vividly outlines the place¡¯s beautiful landscape, farmers¡¯ cozy family lives, lively atmosphere on the farmland, and jubilant festivals, fully demonstrating the modern artistic features.

Drawn with the hands, the artworks actually demonstrate their heart and soul. The composition, color, shape, pattern, and grain clearly show the profound cultural background of these works. While emitting the flavor of modern arts, the works also boast high values for academic researches and collection.

Just like the melodious folk songs in West China, the Farmers¡¯ Paintings in Huxian County expresses farmers¡¯ love and pursuit in life. The great changes in each passing day are recorded in these works.

The glamour of the paintings here has conquered hundreds of people both at home and abroad. The paintings have become an established art form in modern Chinese culture, becoming the most splendid page of the county¡¯s cultural history book.