故宮研究出版專區

This research explores Manhua Journey to the West (Xiyou manji, 1945), a series of illustrations by Zhang Guangyu (1900-1965), exemplifying transcultural flow in Chinese popular art in the first half of the Twentieth century. Renowned for his expertise in graphic, furniture and costume design, Zhang was a pivotal figure in Shanghai’s pictorial magazine circle. His work, crafted in Chongqing during wartime, employs the structure of the classic novel, Journey to the West, to critique the Nationalist regime. The series features sixty colored pieces, blending traditional Chinese motifs with Indian miniature painting, Mexican modernism, and ancient Egyptian art. This study delves into Zhang’s choice of visual elements, highlighting how they embody his artistic vision while also representing Chinese intellectuals’ interpretations of the historical and political landscapes of India, Egypt, and Mexico. It investigates how these perceptions shaped Zhang’s deployment of diverse art styles. While Zhang Guangyu’s modernist illustration has received considerable scholarly attention, detailed analysis of his recontextualization of foreign artistic styles remains scarce. This research aims to unravel Zhang’s motivations for incorporating Indian, Egyptian, and Mexican art influences, contextualized against the backdrop of global political shifts and the development of modern art during the Republican era. It aims to deepen the understanding of how Zhang’s employment of these international artistic elements extends beyond aesthetic preferences, illustrating a nuanced interaction with the intellectual discourse of his time, particularly focusing on the themes of nation-building and perceptions of civilization in the nations whose art he integrated.