Welcoming the New Year, Ma Yuru, Cloth cover oil painting, 50x61cm, 1994
Happiness is eternal BU, where is the joy?
Joy lies in grandeur, joy lies in vigor, joy lies in vitality, and joy lies in insight into art
In Teacher Ma's works, I see Huang Binhong in oil paintings, with a rich and vibrant charm, which is well deserved.
Old and lively, magnificent and lofty, the foundation of which is a sincere and indifferent, clear and enlightened state of mind.
——Gao Shiming
Gome's oil paintings, starting with Mr. Lin Fengmian and Mr. Wu Dayu, have made a vow in this direction. Teacher Ma Yuru is precisely one of them who responds with respect and contemplation.
For a period of time, Teacher Ma rode his bicycle every day to the small room on the Siyi Mountain Trail in Wushan to draw. At the age of eighty, he drove forward with dignity. I brushed past him multiple times, but he remained completely unaware, staring ahead with a clear and ethereal gaze. He is immersed in the world of mountains and waters with flowing clouds and winds, and immersed in the peaceful life of a thousand peaks and one room.
——Xujiang
Ma Yuru has always maintained the characteristics of the language of oil painting in her creations, and continuously explored on this basis, making oil painting more imbued with Eastern charm and the spirit of the Chinese nation.
——Quanshanshi
On site opening ceremony
On the morning of August 15, 2024, the opening ceremony of the National Art Collection and Donation Award Project "Changle Weiyang - Ma Yuru's Art and Heart Pulse" of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism was held at the Art Museum of the China Academy of Art. This exhibition is jointly organized by the Zhejiang Federation of Literary and Art Circles and the China Academy of Art, and hosted by the China Academy of Art Art Museum, the School of Painting and Art of the China Academy of Art, and the Affiliated Middle School of Fine Arts of the China Academy of Art. The exhibition is not only a comprehensive review of Ma Yuru's decades long artistic creation and educational career, but also an in-depth exploration of his unique artistic language and educational philosophy.
Speech by Xu Jiang, Vice Chairman of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles, Chairman of the Zhejiang Provincial Federation of Literary and Art Circles, and Director of the Academic Committee of the China Academy of Art
Xu Jiang mentioned that the characteristic of oil painting is richness. How can Eastern oil painting showcase its charm, vibrant colors, and unique charm? Teacher Ma Yuru's paintings precisely reflect the rich and colorful scenery of mountains and valleys, with rosy clouds filling the sky. This kind of elegance is not only outstanding in artistic expression, but also deeply rooted in the academic style of Chinese Academy of Fine Arts. The academic style of China Academy of Fine Arts is not only reflected in painting skills, but also in the way and style of being a person, doing things, and pursuing knowledge. As the most representative scholar, Teacher Ma Yuru is sincere in life, serious in work, and emphasizes methods in academic pursuits. His exhibition covers note texts, sketches, watercolors, and more, with rich and thought-provoking content. Of particular note is the numerous copies of picture books by Teacher Ma Yuru, which focus on many masters from Impressionism to Post Impressionism, especially Bonaire, Luo, and Ryuzaburo Mayuan. Although these imitations are numerous, they are permeated with strong colors and rich brushstrokes, showcasing Teacher Ma Yuru's love and unique methods for these masters.
Teacher Ma Yuru went from copying to creating, from copying to intentional writing, gradually combining to form her own language, combining to create the magnificent scenery of mountains and valleys with lush greenery and clouds filling the sky. In this atmosphere, there is a dazzling charm of oil painting, as well as the hazy atmosphere of Chinese landscape, and the Impressionist colors of complementary warmth and red and green. All of these make up the magnificent view of Professor Ma Yuru's Chinese style scenery. There are both the graceful and dazzling colors of peaches, as well as the intense sunset and the dyed mountains and rivers; There is both a calm and drunken aura, and a heroic spirit that endures for eternity. In today's context where oil painting language tends to be monotonous, Teacher Ma Yuru's method is worth learning and drawing on in practical applications. This is also the true meaning of 'Changle Weiyang'.
Speech by Gao Shiming, Vice Chairman of the China Artists Association, Chairman of the Zhejiang Artists Association, and President of the China Academy of Art
Gao Shiming recalled that Teacher Ma Yuru left a deep impression on him when he first arrived at the art academy. Although there was no direct interaction at that time, he often saw Teacher Ma focusing on watching exhibitions. Ten years ago, by chance, he came across several paintings by Teacher Ma and was deeply shocked. He was surprised that Teacher Ma Yuru had never held a large-scale solo exhibition, so he visited her and felt her humility and the spirit of "learning for oneself". Teacher Ma Yuru's humility stems from his noble character and strict artistic reference system. His works have extremely high quality and present a strong Eastern modern painting style. Teacher Ma Yuru's works inherit the traditions of Ni Yide and Guan Liang, while also having a unique appearance, paving the way for her own unique artistic path in the integration of Chinese and Western cultures.
Teacher Ma Yuru is not only an artist whose achievements are beyond doubt, but also a teacher highly respected by students. Since 1955, when he stayed on campus to teach at the Affiliated High School, countless students have been taught by him, many of whom have become the backbone of the Chinese art world. In the eyes of the students, Teacher Ma's image of being thin, weak, but firm has never changed. Mr. Ma respects his teachers and cares for his students, just like many other teachers in the history of Gome - 'half a life as a teacher, half a life as a disciple'. These old gentlemen are simple and innocent, their reputation may not be prominent, but they have a special pride and dignity. Teacher Ma has always been low-key in his life, dedicated to his work, devoted to educating people, and never participated in the chaos of the art world. After retirement, he settled in a corner of the lake and mountains, seeing his inner self and building his own independent spiritual world. This place is peaceful and timeless, with a long-lasting interest, peaceful and clean. Having such an elder in an academic family like Gome is not only fortunate but also a source of happiness.
Speech by Chang Qing, Student Representative and Dean of Zhejiang Oil Painting Academy
Changqing expressed his deep respect for Teacher Ma Yuru. Teacher Ma Yuru's rigor, self-discipline, and humility as an educator and artist, despite being low-key, are admirable for her persistent pursuit of teaching and painting. Teacher Ma Yuru's creative process is peaceful and pure, always pursuing the beauty of simplicity, which has eternal value in any era. Despite growing older and gradually fading out of the public eye, Teacher Ma Yuru still cares about the school and the art industry, and her passion and persistence for art have not diminished at all. This exhibition has painted a "beautiful" portrait of Teacher Ma Yuru, an artist and educator who will continue to influence the younger generation and the future of art schools.
Mr. Ma Yuru studied under Mr. Ni Yide, Mr. Su Tianci, Mr. Hu Shanyu, and Mr. Guan Liang in his early years. His studies were during the early days of the founding of New China, and he was influenced by the cultural imprint of this prosperous era. Emphasizing both the modeling foundation of sketching and the style and color of oil painting; Emphasizing both the collection of contemporary life and the accumulation of poetic traditions. Mr. Ma Yuru was the first generation of oil painters and art educators trained in the People's Republic of China. He had noble character and devoted his entire life to the education of oil painting in New China, with countless students and talents throughout the world. The gentleman is low-key and although he is diligent in oil painting creation and has achieved great success, he rarely holds exhibitions due to his dislike of promotion.
Speech by family representative Ma Ning
In his speech, Ma Ning expressed sincere satisfaction and gratitude for the successful holding of the solo exhibition "Changle Weiyang - Ma Yuru's Art and Heart Pulse". She mentioned that this is her father's first solo exhibition, which embodies his attachment to the school, his feelings for teachers and students, and his expectation to communicate with the audience through his works. Ma Ning reflects on his father's love and persistence in painting from his youth to the present day. Even after retirement, he still cares about the school and donated his paintings to the art academy as a response to the pursuit of art and education. She quoted her father's words, 'The most beautiful thing is always the simplest in essence,' expressing her profound understanding of this exhibition and sincere gratitude to all supporters.
Ma Yuru donates 51 works to China Academy of Art
Jin Yibin, Secretary of the Party Committee of China Academy of Art, accepted 51 oil paintings, watercolors, and sketches donated by Professor Ma Yuru on behalf of the school, and presented him with a donation certificate.
Exhibition Opening Ceremony Group Photo
This exhibition is Mr. Ma Yuru's first solo exhibition since he started his career in art and education. A total of 123 oil paintings and watercolor works are exhibited, aiming to showcase the traces of his artistic and educational ideas through his paintings, manuscripts, notes, and other forms.
Exhibition site
The exhibition will fully showcase Mr. Ma Yuru's paintings and literature. The two parts are intertwined, fully showcasing the exploration of painting language and the thinking of education and teaching.
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Ma Yuru and Mr. Su Tianci
The 'self-cultivation' of painting
The Chinese Academy of Fine Arts has been associated with West Lake for nearly a century. In this century, with the ups and downs of time and the turbulence of the storm, generations of artists from Gome have been able to linger in the vicissitudes of life, enjoying the beauty of lakes, mountains, and clouds. They have gained a lot of inspiration and interest from the misty waters of this lake, and have also seen themselves in the shadows of the sky and clouds. Teacher Ma Yuru is an outstanding representative of this art family.
In the Analects of Confucius, it is said that "ancient scholars are themselves, and today's scholars are people. The meaning is that in ancient times, learning was to enrich oneself and achieve one's own virtues, but now people learn to show others. Learning for oneself is the fundamental insistence of Teacher Ma.
Grassland Canyon "by Ma Yuru, watercolor on paper 26.5x26.5cm, 1962
Painting is a 'learning for oneself', but education is the 'way to adulthood'. Teacher Ma embodies the common characteristics and demeanor of the old gentlemen of the United States. They are diligent in teaching and educating students, and are sincere to them. They do not pursue fame and fortune or fame when painting, but only for the sake of painting itself and their own spiritual pursuit. After retirement, Teacher Ma has become more reclusive and content with loneliness, appearing plain and even somewhat rigid. However, from his works, one can glimpse a rich and colorful spiritual world. Mr. Ma has an inner humility and perseverance, being humble in dealing with people and adhering to art. Therefore, his artistic life flows like a calm water, silently nourishing the students and colleagues around him. As a result, he has won the sincere respect and love of his colleagues and students. Teacher Ma Yuru's generation has experienced many storms and hardships throughout their lives, but in their later years, the flower of art bloomed in a spicy and romantic manner, magnificent and lofty. Its foundation is a sincere and indifferent, clear and insightful state of mind.
Far Voyage "by Ma Yuru in paper watercolor 36.5x38.5cm
More than a decade ago, I saw a very small landscape painting by Mr. Ma Yuru, which was free and composed, with a clear and bright sky. At the end of 2015, I visited Teacher Ma and saw several oil paintings shining brightly in his somewhat dim chamber. Those few works showed me the "Huang Binhong in oil painting", rich and magnificent, melancholic and brilliant, beautiful and vibrant. I invited him to the school art museum for an exhibition, but Mr. Ma repeatedly declined. His sincerity and humility moved me. Mr. Ma's humility has two meanings: firstly, he has always been humble among his peers. He repeatedly says that other old gentlemen should do it first, and he is not in a hurry; Secondly, he places himself very low because his frame of reference is very high. He referred to masters such as Monet and C é zanne, and spoke to masters of modern Chinese painting such as Huang Binhong, Lin Fengmian, Wu Dayu, Ni Yide, and Hu Shanyu.
One of the Winters of West Lake "Watercolor on Paper 19.5 × 22.5cm, 1950
Teacher Ma Yuru continues the tradition of oil painting in the Republic of China and inherits the painting spirit of the first generation of Gome's predecessors. This spirit is extremely precious to the art world today. First of all, they did not nationalize oil painting, but used oil painting pigments and oil painting strokes to paint Chinese paintings and write Chinese people's feelings and moods. They did not focus on the accuracy of realism and reproduction, but paid attention to the brushwork and interest, and created a painting way of "not east or west, not ancient or modern, that is, China is west, and ancient or modern". Secondly, the oil paintings of the Republic of China have an inherent lyrical and poetic quality, either passionate and unrestrained, or profound and timeless. However, the most important works surpass poetic lyricism and tend towards the realm of "pure poetry" of modernism, which is also the spiritual goal of the first generation of artists in Gome.
Ma Yuru and Mr. Hu Shanyu (left)
Mr. Liang Zongdai said that the so-called pure poetry is "to eliminate the mood of depicting scenery, narrative, reasoning, and sentimentality, and purely rely on the elements that make up its form - music and color - to produce a talisman like suggestive power to awaken our senses and imagination." For Master Ma Yuru, painting is an extremely pure "absolute painting", where brushstrokes grow in the accumulation of paint, fleeting beauty appears in repeated application, its atmosphere is formed in the interaction and operation of light and color, form and image, and brushstrokes and momentum, and its brilliance is amplified in the hazy atmosphere.
Painting is painting itself, nothing else. From his works, from his character, we feel a posture, a value, a spirit, in short, the purity of painting and the purity of humanity.
This long-awaited 'purity' cleanses our hearts, moves our souls, intoxicates us, awakens us, and prompts us to ponder deeply!
Dean of China Academy of Art
Vice Chairman of China Artists Association
Chairman of Zhejiang Artists Association
Gao Shiming
On the eve of Liqiu, by the West Lake
Ma Yuru and Liang Shaoji
Self Portrait "by Ma Yuru, oil painting 37x47.5cm
Rich and elegant
——Writing for Mr. Ma Yuru's Painting Exhibition
The characteristic of oil painting is that it can be rich and melancholic. The deeper the oily color layer, the more radiant it becomes. A hundred shades of purple and a thousand shades of red, wrapped in oil paint, always presenting a thick texture of enamel. Pen dyed, knife shaped, can be carved or chiseled, smooth and shining.
How can Eastern oil paintings showcase their charm, form and color, and showcase their unique charm? This is a common and uncontrollable questioning and reflection among several generations of Chinese oil painters. Gome's oil paintings, starting with Mr. Lin Fengmian and Mr. Wu Dayu, have made a vow in this direction. Teacher Ma Yuru is precisely one of them who responds with respect and contemplation. Mr. Ma Yuru studied under Mr. Ni Yide, Mr. Su Tianci, Mr. Hu Shanyu, and Mr. Guan Liang in his early years. His studies were during the early days of the founding of New China, and he was influenced by the cultural imprint of this prosperous era. Emphasizing both the modeling foundation of sketching and the style and color of oil painting; Emphasizing both the collection of contemporary life and the accumulation of poetic traditions. The attention to the world of Eastern flora, fauna, and mountains is an important symptom of the academic lineage of Gome, which deeply permeates Mr. Ma Yuru's artistic thinking. This lineage focuses on both Western (European) and Eastern (Japanese) experiences in the study of oil painting, especially in the transformation of oil painting interests, forming a tradition with strong southern Chinese characteristics. This tradition uses plants and trees to convey emotions, mountains and rivers to express emotions, and transforms Impressionism and subsequent colorful techniques into Eastern style freehand brushwork, creating a simple and rich Eastern charm. In the long artistic career that followed, Mr. Ma Yuru, despite being busy with teaching, never stopped thinking and nurturing in his heart. After the 1980s, riding on the wave of reform and opening up, Mr. Ma embodied this in his writing and began his bold and unrestrained freehand painting.
On the Way to Western Sichuan "by Ma Yuru, cardboard oil painting 50x60cm, 2011
Mr. Ma Yuru's freehand oil paintings are not large in size, but they have a graceful atmosphere of grand landscapes. Full of green mountains, smoke and clouds flying, Fusu formations forming, tall trees weathered. There is a special richness in this freehand brushwork. The painting "Evening Glow" was painted in the early 1980s, with a strong sunset, verdant mountains, and layers of pine forests dyed red by colorful clouds, creating the atmosphere of sunset and pine and cypress cream. This rich scene is completely different from the realistic scenery of Western oil painting, but rather a portrayal of the falling sun in the East.
This kind of portrayal is heavily painted, and based on the comparison of purple and gold, it is brewed into a magnificent pile of gold and jade. Hua Ling Bi Yin, with golden jars scattered all over, thick and overflowing, deep and full of a brilliant color. Although the strokes are clumsy and heavy, the more one sees the rich mountains and rivers, the more beautiful the wind and sun.
The Crowd of Skyscrapers "by Ma Yuru, oil painting, 58x63.5cm
Deep in the White Clouds "is another tone. The green mountains are deep and verdant, and they blend seamlessly into flowing clouds. The strokes of the green mountains and white clouds are profound, both exuding a strong and majestic aura. Still with an elegant and clumsy brushwork, it makes thousands of mountains and trees move vigorously, moving through clouds and connecting with the wind. The brushwork of 'Blue Mountains and Clear Sky' has a more freehand style. The distant mountains are as verdant as mountains, the clear sky weaves a beautiful breeze, and the emerald green walks through the painting. The afterglow seeps into the Qingchuan River one after another, although still strong, it is particularly swaying in the wind and sun.
Mr. Ma Yuru's paintbrush is naturally vigorous. Qinglan Qianxun, cumulus clouds and gentle winds, yet there is always a solemn aura within. The Life of a Thousand Peaks, One Room, and One Foot "not only depicts thousands of mountains and valleys, but also expresses the prayers in one's heart. A thousand peaks gather in one room, full for sightseeing to see, clear for contemplation. Due to the solemnity of the heart, the green mountains are simple and heavy, the white clouds stretch far away, the mountains stop and the rivers flow, and the wind and lotus rise.
Bottle Flower "by Ma Yuru, oil on canvas painting, size 46x38cm
Teacher Ma doesn't have many paintings, but he writes about his spiritual perspectives one by one. The pen is vigorous and contains a simple and majestic aura. This simple and majestic energy has been accumulated over time, through the accumulation of nutrients and the defense of the center. For a period of time, Teacher Ma rode his bicycle every day to the small room on the Siyi Mountain Trail in Wushan to draw. At the age of eighty, he drove forward with dignity. I brushed past him multiple times, but he remained completely unaware, staring ahead with a clear and ethereal gaze. He is immersed in the world of mountains and waters with flowing clouds and winds, and immersed in the peaceful life of a thousand peaks and one room. Teacher Ma has a painting called 'Peach', which has the most beautiful and golden charm. Although there are only a few plump peaches, they carry a rainbow like aura. If time is like a rainbow, flowing in all directions, it can be said that "heaven and earth stand side by side, deifying the unity of the two." As the saying goes in Zhuangzi's "Tianxia Pian," "How strong is heaven and earth? To use strength without skill." Therefore, to use strength without skill is to win over people. The graceful appearance of this peach showcases the magnificence and simplicity of heaven and earth in silence, embodying both the enduring spirit of resistance and the dazzling charm expressed in its grandeur.
Mr. Ma Yuru's paintings exude a unique richness and charm. Thick is for vulgar and light, while melancholy is for shallow. Teacher Ma's painting has nothing to do with vulgarity. Although it may be dull and clumsy at times, a genuine and sincere interest has emerged. Tang Sikong's "Twenty Four Poems" once said, "Abnormal people ride on the truth and hold lotus flowers in their hands." Abnormal people are not like ordinary people, they follow their nature and practice the essence of the gods, which is similar to the original simplicity of nature. Hibiscus, fragrant and clean grass, with a graceful aura. Can it be used as a portrayal of Mr. Ma Yuru?
Vice Chairman of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles
Vice Chairman of the China Artists Association
President of the Chinese Oil Painting Society
Chairman of Zhejiang Provincial Federation of Literary and Art Circles
Xujiang
Blossoms "Ma Yuru canvas oil painting 45x54cm
Ma Yuru
Artist Profile
Ma Yuru, originally from Shangyu, Zhejiang. Born in Hangzhou in 1931.
I studied at the West Lake Art Research Institute in Hangzhou from July 1948 to August 1949, and was inspired by Mr. Ni Yide. In September 1949, he was admitted to the Painting Department of the National Academy of Arts (predecessor of the China Academy of Fine Arts) and learned from professors such as Su Tianci, Hu Shanyu, and Guan Liang. Graduated and stayed at school in 1955.
At the invitation of Mr. Xia Ziyi, Vice President of the Affiliated High School of the Academy of Fine Arts, I went to teach at the affiliated high school and served as the leader of the professional teaching and research group. I taught in the Oil Painting Department from 1978 to 1983.
From 1984 to 1986, he served as the principal of the Affiliated Middle School. Received the Zhejiang Provincial Education Achievement Award in 1985. I taught in the Oil Painting Department from 1988 to 1991 until my retirement. In 1991, he went to France and Algeria for artistic research. In 1992, he was awarded the title of "Outstanding Contribution Expert" and lifetime allowance by the State Council.
The monograph "Sketching Techniques" is published by People's Fine Arts Publishing House; Courbet "is published by Shanghai People's Fine Arts Publishing House; Publish papers such as "Oil Painting Techniques" and "On Sketching" in professional journals. Oil painting has participated in national oil painting exhibitions and exhibitions in Japan, Southeast Asia, and other regions.
Exhibition posters
