chinese or not, i think the quaker oats graphic is supposed to be tongue-in-cheek. at least, that’s how i interpret it. and if it’s a joke, it’s pretty funny! therefore, it’s “good” art because it elicits a positive reaction.

Chinese art is very distinctive – can’t put my finger on it, but when you see it, you know it. They are distinct even from Japanese paintings.

I think you are truly one of the best examples online I’ve ever seen of a Non-Chinese person (of any heritage, ethnicity, racial group, etc.) who has such a balance, vast understanding and appreciation of Chinese topics, both in Asia and overseas.
I got so tired reading all these websites and blogs, some that supposedly maintained by China or Chinese “experts”, but were so filled with extreme, questionable and very degrading comments…both in the English and Chinese languages. Recently whenever I find someone of your caliber online, I have to give some type of kudos for that.

I’m curious whenever Artists create something like this exhibit, are their expressions meant for a particular audience, perspective, or possibly something else. I read a lot of books regarding Modern China written from many perspectives, but even though there seems to be some central viewpoint, especially if it’s about major events, it’s pretty diverse in opinion throughout the whole picture.

Therein is part of the problem—a (nearly) complete disconnect between the new Chinese community (now located east of downtown), and the early trailblazer Cooly labor which built the American west. As is true in other west coast cities the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association, traditionally Kuomingtang, represents the Chinese community at City Hall. I personally like the guys in the CCBA, but as I have told them—they are way too polite. My belief is that the grave yard of these early Chinese should be aggressively represented—-and honored, And I have written to Metro (the local gov. body involved) —but I’m just a white guy, married into a Chinese family…

Having not seen the work, thats as generous as I can be.. I hate “Quaker Oats Mao”, even without seeing it—and know would still hate it in person. But hey, Zhang is clearly Chinese….even though his art may be a cultural cop out..

This I do know: China has such a rich, even overpowering influence on me when I’m there, I can’t imagine not being more influenced by it as an artist. Mr. Zhang, from the powerful landscape of Xinjiang—and a Muslim to boot–how can that not play into his art?

Zhang Hongtu, the eldest of the six, improbably anchors the more Westernized end of the spectrum. He was born in 1943 in northwestern China, into a Muslim family, and was educated in Beijing. After a career as a jewelry designer, he emigrated in 1982 to New York, where he still lives.

Besides Quaker Oats Mao, Zhang’s contribution includes McDonald’s food packaging cast in bronze, a six-pack of blue-and-white porcelain “Coca-Cola” bottles, a full-sized ping-pong table pierced by two Mao silhouettes, and several interpretations of impressionist and postimpressionist paintings.

Please, don’t tell us that “Quaker Oats Mao” was part of the show. Please. Its just such a totally abysmal cliche, a la Andy Warhol —who’s Campbells soup cans were also a cliche—-44 years ago..

And no, you can’t be a Chinese artist without being Chinese—not even close. (also, you can’t be an American artist without being American—-and perhaps the best example of that is still the Abstract Expressionists of the 50’s and 60’s—totally an American movement).

I expect better of the Ivy League, but have been often disappointed in recent years.. Maybe you need to live on the Pacific Rim to have even a clue about Asian issues—but as it turns out, here in Portland, we have plenty of culturally tone-deaf bureaucrats ready and willing to go through “a public process” to select the best, “culturally sensitive art” (under the “1% for the arts” law for public works projects)—-in this case—China Town—-a major revamping of streets, sidewalks and public places.

The artist they finally selected to craft in granite and steel various “authentic” Chinese street sculptures? —a guy named Brian Goldbloom. And make no mistake, Goldbloom was up to the craft—his overturned wok, and dragon head (in a choke hold steel collar) were beautifully crafted.

But after a rather stunned, (and typically polite) pause of the local Chinese community, for the first time in Portland’s political history (that I’m aware of—as a 30 year observer)—they assembled in outrage —- the overturned wok representing famine and want—and choking a dragon?? Too bad. Nearly two hundred thousand dollars in 1% funds down the drain—-both sculptures were destroyed, since they couldn’t be moved..

so do you think the lily white city and regional fathers (and mothers) of Portland have learned their lesson from this?? —-hardly. We are now engaged in a low profile site design controversy for Portland’s long dead Chinese—buried separately, of course, from the Whites.

Again, designed by a perfectly liberal white landscape architect, overseen by a perfectly liberal regional government. The architect likes flowering cherries in the Sakura tradition, and thinks they would be lovely in the spring at the Chinese burial site. (suggest all here at 8 Asians Wikipedia Sakura to understand the Chinese perspective—ie–WW2) And, of course, since some mentally ill were buried near the Chinese—it makes perfect liberal sense to elevate them to equal status with the Chinese dead..

“do you have to be chinese to produce chinese art”
then what is considered chinese art? painting something chinese? painting the great wall of china? if so, then no, that depends on the artist’s depiction of the wall
but if you are referring to chinese calligraphy/traditional types of chinese art, then that would require you to learn from a master of that type of art. and that master is most likely chinese,
to be an apprentice of the master would you require you to dedicate you time into the art and culture

-then the question comes up, if a white guy lives in china (with all legal documents) and takes in the chinese culture, is he considered chinese?
if yes

then no you dont need to be “chinese” to produce chinese art

–.. okay ahha i actually am not too sure what i wrote made complete sense. but i just wanted to leave a comment to say that i love this site, it’s motive, and your thought provoking entries

thankyou