National Theme in Sculpture at the Chinese National Exhibition of Fine Arts

The theme of China's national minorities is an important theme bearing distinctive national characteristics in all types of art presented at the National Exhibition of Fine Arts.Its development in sculpture can be divided into three stages: the first period is the rise of the subject of national minorities in the context of the great national integration in the early period of the construction of the New China.The sculptures of this period presented at the Exhibition, depicted the friendship of all the peoples inhabiting China, and adhered to the "communist canons" of creativity.The subsequent era, from the early 1980s to the conclusion of the 20th century, can be characterized as a period of shift from the communist standard to a more genuine and realistic depiction of the people of China, characterized by a longing for experimentation, the quest for a new, as well as an idealized portrayal of national minorities.The artworks were often based on materials gathered by the sculptors during their trips to regions populated by national minorities.The third period is a sculpture exploring the subject of national minorities in the 21st century.Its features are attention to the current problems of our times and the tendency to diversify themes and artistic styles.Interpreting the theme of national minorities, sculptors use individual languages of artistic expression.Thus, this article examines the development of sculpture on the theme of national minorities, selected for participation and presented at the National Exhibition of Fine Arts, analyzes and identifies constant and evolving features specific to the each period, then concludes about the significance and value of this theme in the history of the National Exhibition.Throughout the entire period of the existence of the National Exhibition of Fine Arts, the sculptural work presented at it was influenced by the state national policies.At the same time, we can see that "national identity" is the main idea throughout the entire period under consideration.In other words, among the many tasks associated with the development of modern Chinese art, the creation of a "national cultural identity" has always been and continues to be of great importance.Thus, if we examine the works presented at the National Exhibition as a phenomenon, it is obvious that sculpture on the theme of national minorities has enormous theoretical and practical value in the past, present and future.