Zhu Yifeng Talks About His Father Zhu Dequn: Art Is Not A Part Of Life, Art Is His Life

        The French Academy is an important academic institution in France, known as "French think tank". The election of the academician of the French Academy represents the highest authority of the French academic community. The famous writer Emil Zola once ran for the academician 24 times, but he was not elected until his death. On December 17, 1997, Zhu Dequn, a Chinese American abstract painter who has been in France for 42 years, was elected as an art academician of the French Academy, becoming the first Chinese American painter to hold the title of academician since the establishment of the French Academy system for more than 200 years. On February 3, 1999, Zhu Dequn received a grand academician's coronation ceremony in the dome Hall of gubole, the French Academy. According to the usual practice, the academicians need to wear a large dark green gold thread embroidered dress and the "academician sword", which symbolizes the national treasure of France. Because each sword can be inlaid with different gems, Zhu Dequn chooses the white marble that Chinese literati like to set on the sword. At that time, he said that it was just a symbol of his harmonious combination of eastern and western, classical and modern painting style.

        Standing in the spotlight of the historical stage, Zhu Dequn's identity in the art world is undoubtedly remarkable: the first Chinese academician of the French Academy, a master of lyrical and abstract painting school integrating China and the west, and one of the three swordsmen studying in France... Until today, Zhu Dequn's works have been repeatedly sold at record high prices in the auction house. In April this year, Zhu Dequn's triple screen work "prosperous snow" broke the previous record of HK $113 million auction set in Sotheby's last year, with a turnover of HK $198 million and a commission of HK $229 million. But in the eyes of his son Zhu Yifeng, Zhu Dequn, after his halo has faded, has a simple and ordinary identity - "he is my father first, and then an artist."

      Zhu Yifeng is an architectural planner and currently serves as vice chairman of the Zhu Dequn foundation. In order to commemorate Zhu Dequn's 100th birthday, Zhu Dequn foundation made a documentary film "Zhu Dequn" in 2020, which covers the artist's personal life and creative career. The documentary was shown at the Shanghai Grand Theatre last year and was shown again during the "light live" of the Hong Kong Exhibition of Art Basel from May 21 to 23 this year. A few days ago, Zhu Yifeng was interviewed by a reporter from the 21st century economic report. He outlined another side of Master Zhu Dequn that is not well known to people except his artistic achievements.

Zhu Dequn - Information pictures

Almost a sports student

In 1920, Zhu Dequn was born in a rich family of traditional Chinese medicine in Baitu Town, Xiaoxian County, Anhui Province. Zhu Dequn's relationship with art is inseparable from Zhu Dequn's father's influence. In addition to his daily practice of medicine, his father was very fond of collecting famous paintings. Every summer, his father would take the famous paintings from the box to dry them to prevent them from getting wet. As a child, Zhu Dequn grew up in the process of being influenced by these smart and elegant masters. After entering junior high school, Zhu Dequn is tall and straight and likes playing basketball. Zhu Dequn's teacher advised him to apply for the Shanghai sports college. This proposal was strongly opposed by Zhu Dequn's father, who believed that the choice of sports industry was "eating youth rice". With the support of his father, Zhu Dequn finally got into Hangzhou art college and set foot on the road of professional art training.

At that time, the headmaster of Hangzhou art college was Lin Fengmian, and most of the teachers were painters who came back from France. The school spirit of combining Chinese and western education laid a solid foundation for Zhu Dequn's later art style of blending East and West. He followed Pan Tianshou to learn the painting method of Mei Lan Zhu in traditional Chinese painting, and also learned western popular modern painting taught by Wu Dayu. However, fertile soil also needs to match hard work in exchange for harvest. Sometimes, Zhu Dequn put inkstone on the bench at the head of the bed, grinding ink when the day is not bright; Get up at daybreak and draw. In addition, he went to the West Lake every day without any mistake to sketch, and the finished works were given to Wu Dayu for comments. Many of his teachings at that time were later regarded by Zhu Dequn as the motto for creating abstract paintings. Among them, Wu Dayu's admiration for Cezanne, the representative of the post Impressionist school, aroused Zhu Dequn's interest. Paris was the birthplace of the Impressionist school, so he gradually came up with the idea of going to Paris, the capital of art in the world.

In 1955, Zhu Dequn settled in Paris and engaged in painting. In 1956, he won the honorary prize and silver prize in the Paris Spring Art Salon, and his works began to attract the attention of the French painting circle. Since then, he has devoted himself to abstract creation, practicing western painting in the form of oil painting, and integrating the connotation and spirit obtained from traditional Chinese painting, thus completing the transition from concrete painting to abstract painting with unique style. As a prolific artist, Zhu Dequn has created at least 2500 works in his life, including oil painting, ink painting, calligraphy and ceramics; Since 1954, he has held more than 140 solo exhibitions all over the world, which shows his love and diligence in art.

"My father never really taught me art. He thought it was a very hard job." "I had a long talk with him when I was still in school," Zhu told the 21st century economic report. He encouraged me to be curious about different architectural trends. When his father was a child, he often copied the works of ancient calligraphers, which helped him understand the real meaning of "practice": not to copy, but to understand. One has to go further than simply copying in order to reach the realm of creation. "

Painter's "home"

As a master in the eyes of others, Zhu Dequn, who is not good at dealing with people, is very kind to his family in his daily life. What he likes most is to feel the daily life of his family. Zhu Yifeng recalled that his father, Zhu Dequn, was very concerned about him and was very close to his family and friends“ My father often takes me to school to do my homework in his studio. Even after I had my own family and children, we used to spend holidays together. My parents and other family members used to cook dumplings together. My father likes to laugh in front of delicious food and enjoy spending time with close friends and family Most of the warm families are similar, but the artistic atmosphere of Zhu family is the strongest. Zhu Yifeng said that when they were children, the apartment they lived in was filled with the smell of turpentine all the year round, and there were works of different artists everywhere. Subconsciously, art became a part of family life“ Every time I go to someone else's house, I realize that our home and life are different from others. I always feel a little bit less in other people's homes, because I'm so used to being surrounded by art. "

Although he is kind to his family and friends, most of the time in his life, Zhu Dequn is serious and immerses himself in his painting world wholeheartedly. "Father is a serious man because he thinks art is worth taking seriously," Zhu told 21st century economic reporter. He believes that as an artist, it is very important to show the world from different angles. Therefore, painting is not a part of life. He is really "totally immersed" in artistic creation. " Zhu Yifeng recalled that after waking up every morning, Zhu Dequn would paint in his studio. And once an idea takes shape in his mind, he can't sleep until he manages to present it in his paintings. Zhu Yifeng said: "he clearly knows the art road he is going to explore, and he is very determined to open up research and practice it."

Although it is precisely because of Zhu Dequn's father's "correction" of Zhu Dequn's professional orientation, the story behind this master of art has been created; However, Zhu Dequn did not participate much in his son's career choice. Instead, he supported his son to choose his favorite major“ My father gave me the freedom to choose my major, but he suggested that I choose a career that inspires my passion. He was very satisfied with my choice of architectural planning because it also has an artistic side. " Zhu Yifeng told reporters that since Zhu Dequn knew that he had chosen architecture major, the art master began to pay more attention to the field of architecture. One day, Zhu Dequn saw the design of Frank Gehry, an American architect, in the newspaper. He said happily to his son, "it's great to see this kind of free creativity in architectural design. It can also be one of my inspirations."

Eternal fire

The year 2020 coincides with the 100th anniversary of Zhu Dequn's birth. According to the original plan, the foundation also plans to hold a commemorative exhibition of Zhu Dequn's 100th birthday and tour around the world in addition to the release of documentary films. According to some media analysis, at the centennial anniversary node, combined with the joint efforts of academic and market-side, it is likely to drive the follow-up market situation and create another peak of Zhu Dequn's works market after 2012. But the sudden outbreak of the epidemic forced last year's plan to be shelved. However, the Zhu Dequn foundation did not cease to be active. During the period of epidemic isolation, Zhu Dequn foundation cooperated with artists, galleries, art collectors and luxury brands to participate in online charity auctions to raise funds for a number of non-profit public welfare organizations to support the fight against the epidemic.

Zhu Dequn devoted his whole life to promoting the integration of Western painting and Chinese art. Therefore, Zhu Dequn foundation also attaches great importance to the power of cross-cultural and young artists. Founded in 1924, ecolint is the oldest, largest and most diversified international school in the world. Ecolint's Art Center provides a variety of cultural activities, such as performances and seminars, and professional artists are welcome to settle in. In February this year, Zhu Dequn foundation established a cooperative relationship with ecolint. In the future, it will jointly operate a number of creative talent development projects, including holding multi form and multi theme exhibitions and establishing youth scholarships. "In my opinion, it is very important to support young artists because we need artists to provide us with a view of the world and the current situation," Zhu told the 21st century economic report. This is a free perspective outside the norms, which can bring us reflection. "