Flowing Order

Dafen Art Museum Collection of Fine Prints Exhibition

Printmaking  is an art form embodying  human wisdom and craftsmanship. Originating from ancient  Eastern woodblock printing, it has continuously evolved throughout the development of Eastern and Western art, expanding its expressive power. As a vessel of history, printmaking carries profound cultural significance; within the realm of contemporary art, it equally demonstrates innovative vitality. Its unique "printmark" language, "indirect" creative process, and characteristic "multiplicity" together construct an artistic domain that harmonizes structure with creativity.

"Order" is the core essence of printmaking art. Whether it be the lines and layers meticulously etched in intaglio (copperplate), the power and rhythm generated by the interplay of the carving tool's edge and wood grain in relief (woodblock), the precision and sense of order achieved through multi-layer registration in screenprinting (stencil), or the rational integration and creative application of diverse materials and techniques in mixed-media printmaking— each printmaking discipline demands that the creator adhere to specific rules, follow rigorous procedures, and respect the characteristics of the materials. The formation of the printmark is, in essence, a process of establishing order. This inherent "sense of order" constitutes the solid foundation of printmaking's formal aesthetics.

However, within this rigorous framework of "order," the force of "flux" perpetually exists. Artists, wielding keen perception and vigorous creativity, express rich emotions and ideas upon the established rules of printmaking. Each act of plate-making, inking, and pressing is both a manifestation of order and, more importantly, a free expression of the artist's individual spirit and the zeitgeist. It is precisely beneath this strict order of the printmark that artistic concepts, emotional expressions, and the spirit of the times achieve continuous flow and renewal.

While continuously developing its brand in oil painting, the Dafen Art Museum has long been committed to building a diverse and systematic art collection system, actively promoting the research, interpretation, and activation of its holdings. This exhibition, "Flux and Order: Masterpieces of Printmaking from the Dafen Art Museum Collection," is a concrete practice of this academic philosophy. Based on systematic organization and in-depth research into the museum's printmaking resources, the exhibition features a curated selection of outstanding works encompassing various types, including intaglio (copperplate), relief (woodblock), screenprint (stencil), and mixed media prints. The exhibition aims not only to showcase the diversity and depth of printmaking's intrinsic language but also, through the thematic curation of "Flux and Order," to activate the inherent connections and dialogues among the collection pieces, revealing the artistic logic and spirit of the times they embody.