The Visual Modernity Shift in Early Modern Chinese Sculpture
The transformation of YAN Dehui's sculptural practice reflects the process of Chinese sculpture transitioning from traditional to modern, showcasing the interactive relationship between modern sculpture and the ideological currents of different periods. This article analyzes the visual forms of YAN
1. IN CHINA – THE FAMILY CIRCLE
Yan Dehui, known in France as Yen Te-Fai, was born on July 15, 1908, in the Yongjia district, Zhejiang province, in southern China - now Lu Cheng Ward in Wenzhou. Growing up in a scholarly household, Yan was deeply influenced
2. STUDIES AND TEACHING IN CHINA – 1920 TO 1935
Aware of his creative potential, Yan Dehui's mother encouraged him to apprentice with Zhu Zichang, a master wood sculptor from the Wenzhou school. At 13, while continuing his schooling, Yan began working with boxwood, a material appreciated for its flexibility
3. IN CHINA, A CAREER IS TAKING SHAPE
At the beginning of his career, Yan Dehui's work showcased a remarkable diversity of materials and styles. Alongside his studies, he created a few portraits, continued wood carving, and gained recognition from the Ministry of Education, which, having noticed his
4. THE JOURNEY TO THE WEST
At a pivotal moment in history, Yan Dehui's artistic journey aligned with China's attempt at modernization. Recognizing that technical progress was essential to overcoming economic challenges, Minister of Education Cai Yuanpei launched the "Work-Study Movement" in the 1920s. This program
5. LIFE IN PARIS
The École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts (ENSBA) in Paris was the epicenter of Western art education, attracting over a hundred Chinese artists between the 1920s and early 1950s. Yan Dehui, recommended by Liu Haisu, the director of the Shanghai Academy
6. THE ARTISTIC COMMUNITY IN FRANCE
The École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts (ENSBA) was a crucible for Chinese artists in the early 20th century. Among them, Yan Dehui, Hua Tianyou, Pan Yuliang, Zhou Lin, and Xiong Bingming were significant members of the Chinese artistic community in
7. EXHIBITIONS – 1938 TO 1950S
One of the primary ways for Chinese artists in Paris to gain recognition was by participating in prestigious exhibitions. Yan Dehui showcased his works in numerous significant venues, beginning with the Salon des Artistes Français in 1938 at the Grand
8. FAMILY IN FRANCE
While the desire to perfect his art led Yan Dehui to leave China in 1938, his encounter with Louise Lenoir in 1949 would change the course of his life. Choosing to settle in France, he founded a family and integrated
9. MONTARGIS, THE LAST EXHIBITIONS IN PARIS AND THE RETURN TO CHINA
In the late 1960s, Yan Dehui exhibited in Montargis, a town with a rich history of Chinese student presence. There, he befriended Georges Thouvenot, a recognized local artist. Yan's exhibitions in Montargis earned him a grand prize for his marble
