The guru who taught peasants to paint

Article Abstract:

Wu Tongzhang is a Chinese classical painter who, like many other artists during the Cultural Revolution, was made to live in the countryside among peasants. However, Wu took his 1972 move to the village of Jinshan near Shanghai seriously enough to begin cultivating the peasants' artistic abilities. He found that women over 50 had the most aptitude, and soon a number of them were producing folk paintings. These paintings subsequently became popular and commanded high prices throughout the world though not in China. Wu hopes that the Chinese will become more appreciative of this art.

Social aspects, China, Column, Biography, Study and teaching, Folk art, Painting, Chinese, Chinese painting, Wu Tongzhang

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Memories of Mao: debunking of Great Helmsman's myth points to problems facing China

Article Abstract:

Li Zhisui's 1994 book 'The Private Life of Chairman Mao' is a groundbreaking and insightful look at the Chinese leader from the perspective of his personal physician of more than two decades. The portrait he paints is not a flattering one, reflecting an egomaniacal tyrant with no concern for human life in general or those around him in particular. It is selling well in the US and elsewhere, and smuggled copies from Taiwan are popular in China, though the government there has denounced the work. Li died suddenly on Feb 14, 1995.

Evaluation, Portrayals, Criticism and interpretation, Mao Zedong, The Private Life of Chairman Mao (Book), Li Zhisui

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Born to shop

Article Abstract:

Consumer spending in Shanghai, China has not slowed down in the wake of Vice-Premier Zhu Rongji's austerity plan. Retailers expect sales to actually increase. Inflation and devaluation have hurt foreign retailers, but sales in the stores seem almost immune to prices. The city has a great deal of disposable income and a more fashion-conscious population than other parts of China. Only Peking has a higher average annual wage, and Shanghai's is said to be underreported.

Economic aspects, Shanghai, China

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