Mr. Zhang Ding (1917-2010) is a prominent revolutionary literary artist and art educator with significant influence, emerging in the educational circles of China since the 20th century.
Zhang Ding's life is closely related to China's magnificent revolutionary history and the development of new China's art education, experiencing the development of thought in China’s modern literary art and big events in modern Chinese art.
In the 1930s, Zhang Ding took the brush as a weapon, standing in the forefront of the times as the pioneer of revolutionary literary art. His comics became the "trend" of the national liberation movement, inspiring and calling the rise and liberation of the Chinese nation. He is the "modern" designer and excellent "versatile artist" in the era of Yan'an, whose activities in artistic creation added cultural vitality for the development of revolutionary cause and the tough times. After the founding of new China, as the national chief artistic designer, he completed many important designs of national image. In particular, his design of the CPPCC emblem and participation in the design of the national emblem, not only embodies the wisdom and thought of all walks of life, but also reflects his keen political consciousness and outstanding artistic talent, knowledge and realm.
He undertook and completed the overall design of China Pavilion at various international fairs held in western countries in the early days of the People's Republic of China and organized related activities, which won international acclaim. He is a pioneer in the design of new China’s exhibition and is the first to hold China's outstanding traditional painting in Western countries, and met with Picasso, the representative of Western modern art, cracking the barrier of cultural and artistic exchanges between China and the West, and known as the messenger of cultural and artistic exchanges between China and the West. He was hailed as a milestone in the development of Chinese painting reform. At the beginning of the founding of new China, there was an intense ideological struggle in the inheritance and development of national traditional art, the relationship between life and creation, conservatism and nihilism, and other issues. He turned the tide with his practice and theory of artistic creation, saving traditional art from the crisis.
Zhang Ding is the pioneer of fine art education and the founder of art & design education in new China, and also the former dean of Central Academy of Arts and Design. In particular, the art & design education system and educational ideology with Chinese characteristics created and developed by Zhang Ding, not only affects a historical times and several generations, but also has significant influence on contemporary art & design education at home and abroad. He raised the flag for the rejuvenation of Chinese mural art. In the early days of reform and opening up, he led the creation of mural group at Beijing Capital Airport (a national major project), with multiple artistic innovation and national art style, resulting in a big and broad shock, which became the prelude of liberation in the thought of literary art, and ushered in the spring of Chinese literary art and a new era of vigorous development of culture and art. In his later years he created a new way in the field of coke ink art, which is exclusive, outstanding and respectful.
Zhang Ding's artistic thoughts and activities are closely linked with the development of Chinese modern art history and art education. He is an esteemed representative of a generation of artists and prominent art educators in China’s art education and art circles, who is hailed as the iconic figure in the contemporary fine art history, the pioneer of revolutionary literary art, the founder of art & design education and the flag of artistic innovation of China.
Whether as a pure artist, in comics, New Year pictures, propaganda posters, practical fine art, animation films, exhibition design, stage art, decorative painting, mural, Chinese painting, calligraphy, art criticism and other fields, or as a leader of art education discipline, Zhang Ding is always approachable and righteous, carrying forward positive energy and the spirit of national culture and art, guiding the new ideology of art and culture, pioneering in the forefront of the times, creating a new generation of trend of art, and having students everywhere, thus admired and loved by people.
Zhang Ding is an outstanding representative of the Chinese education community who adheres to the confidence in national culture, and explores the system of art education, artistic thought and artistic style with Chinese characteristics. He is the flagman integrating ancient and modern art with education thought essence, and bravely puts into practice, exploration and innovation. He is a model for others and a model for teaching and educating, morality education, selflessness, social commitment and dedication to the cause of art education of the nation. He is an exceptional model with talents and virtues in the cause of art education and artistic creation of the nation.
