1960s – 1970s
During the early 1970s, artworks by amateur artists who were workers and peasants received national attention across China. These workers and peasants were promoted as representatives of creative intellect among the masses. They were touted as evidence that art was not reserved for the socially elite and that anyone could practice it. The most famous peasant artists were from Huxian (户县), Shannxi Province. Others were from Shanghai, Yangquan, and Lüda.
Even though the CCP publicized these artists as amateurs, many had received some type of formal artistic training, and those who didn’t received extensive professional help creating their works.
This poster is a reproduction of a painting by one of the most famous Huxian Peasant Painters, Liu Zhide (刘志德). Born in 1939, Liu Zhide is a native of Huxian and received formal training at the Mass Art Center of Xianyang, at the Mass Art Center of Shaanxi Province, and at Shaanxi Daily. Liu has participated in many provincial, national, and international art exhibitions. The painting in this poster by Liu Zhide was selected from a peasant art exhibition in Huxian.
