Traditional Chinese Art

China’s rich culture is filled with various art forms, each with a long and unique history. From music to visual arts to calligraphy, a student with a passion for the arts can find plenty of opportunities to develop in China. Universities, private schools and one-on-one tutors all offer high-quality instruction for students of Chinese art.

A student of any form of Chinese art could spend a lifetime mastering their craft, but those interested in a brief introduction can still have an enriching experience through short-term study.
 

Painting

Chinese painting has a long and complex history. Traditionally it has included four broad themes: figures, landscapes, birds and flowers, and stones and bamboo. Styles can range from an attention to minute details to freehand brushwork, and paintings are often mounted on fans, scrolls, albums and screens.

Different styles of paintings were popular at different times in history, so appreciation of Chinese paintings requires historical background. For example, Tang Dynasty poets had an elegant and lavish style that reflected the prosperity of the times, where as Ming and Qing painters began to use the art form primarily as a form of personal expression.
 

Music

Traditional Chinese music is performed by solo musicians or in small ensembles. Most instruments are plucked and bowed string instruments and flutes, with the accompaniment of small percussion instruments like drums. Examples of traditional instruments include the erhu, a two-stringed bow instrument, and the guzheng, a plucked instrument similar to a zither.

Chinese opera has been immensely popular for centuries. Each region has a particular variety of opera, with Beijing opera being the most famous worldwide. Chinese operas tend towards high-pitched tones and modern ones often incorporate martial arts and acrobatics performances. Vocals are almost always accompanied by other instruments.

Modern Chinese music is highly influenced by regional varieties of pop music in Taiwan and Hong Kong. These in turn have taken many elements from hip hop, rap and other foreign styles.
 

Calligraphy

Chinese characters are can be written with an ink brush as calligraphy. This art form dates back thousands of years, has specific principles and takes serious dedication to learn properly. Far from simply painting normal characters, calligraphy is composed of various styles, ranging from loose, messy-looking characters to tight, crisp styles.

Calligraphy incorporates a range of skills, including correct stroke order, a sense of aesthetic balance and rhythm. The position of the brush in one’s hand is also essential for proper calligraphy. School curriculum in China includes calligraphy instruction and amateurs and experts alike can be seen practicing in parks and other public places.