A Cultural Criterion

 'Art is the behaviour of hooligans. Why can’t you paint something else? Why bother to draw people not wearing anything?'

The comment above was written on Weibo, China’s equivalent of Twitter.  It was posted after Pang Maokun, the principal of Sichuan Fine Arts Institute, was shown in images teaching students to draw a naked woman during one of his drawing classes.  Most of the comments however, were overwhelming positive.

We tend to think the Western world is far more liberal and advanced when it comes nudity, sexuality and issues of gender and race.  In truth, there are huge differences for sure, but every country and culture struggles in various ways with moving on from the past.  The past few years especially, have proven no culture or country is perfect.

When I first saw this set of images, I have to admit that I was surprised to see a nude male model posing for the class.  A little research told me however, that nudity in art, is not nothing new in Chinese culture.  Nudity in art is not new, and was not an uncommon sight in ancient China, figure drawing.  The study of the human form in its various shapes and poses, was introduced to China as a modern western art  back in the 1910s.

Although there may still be struggles, China has experienced their own sexual revolution over the last few decades, leading to many changes, including nudity within mainstream media.  We often tend to think of ourselves as advanced, but in some ways, many part of America remains behind so much of the rest of the world. 

'It’s not necessary to make a fuss over it because it is approved by the authorities, it is scientific and legal. It is a common practice at fine arts schools around the world.' 

Pang Maokun