Chinese Art - by Patricia Bjaaland Welch (Paperback)

About the Book

Chinese Art examines the meanings behind the hundreds of common motifs and symbols found in all forms of Chinese art, exposing their linguistic, metaphoric or historic origins, common usage, and diverse applications.

Book Synopsis

With over 630 striking color photos and illustrations, this Chinese art guide focuses on the rich tapestry of symbolism which makes up the basis of traditional Chinese art.

Chinese Art: A Guide to Motifs and Visual Imagery includes detailed commentary and historical background information for the images that continuously reappear in the arts of China, including specific plants and animals, divine beings, mortals and inanimate objects. The book thoroughly illuminates the origins, common usages and diverse applications of popular Chinese symbols in a tone that is both engaging and authoritative.

Chinese Art: A Guide to Motifs and Visual Imagery is an essential reference for collectors, museum-goers, guides, students and anyone else with a serious interest in the culture and history of China.

Review Quotes

"An ideal keepsake for collectors and art lovers, Chinese Art explores the meanings behind the plethora of common motifs and symbols found in all sorts of Chinese art." --The Nation

"An intelligent yet friendly text by an extremely well-informed and generous author and the result is a book which will be a valued addition to the libraries of all who are interested in Chinese art." --Arts of Asia

"This splendid, descriptive guide to the motifs and imagery of Chinese art will be valuable to scholars and students of all things visually Chinese." --Choice

About the Author

Patricia Bjaaland Welch, MA, is a former lecturer in Chinese philosophy and art at Boston University and has been a docent for over two decades in prominent museums in Boston, Bangkok, and Singapore. She has written several in-house training manuals for docents and is passionate about bringing people into museums and helping them to appreciate what they are seeing. She is a frequent lecturer on subjects relating to Chinese art and history. An avid collector and researcher, she is also the author of five published works, including Chinese New Year. She currently lives in Singapore.