After Su Shi

ABSTRACT

This article offers an introduction to ‘After Su Shi’, a special issue of Journal of Visual Art Practice, which focuses on the art practice of China’s revered poet, calligrapher and stateman, Su Shi (1037–1101). The article situates the work of Su Shi specifically within the context of Hainan, the southern island of China where Su Shi was exiled near the end of his life. Some of his most famous poetry was written during this period and subsequently his identification with Hainan has long endured. Key heritage sites are referenced in this article, and, combined with an overview of the collected papers of the special issue as well as Hainan’s recent new status as free port, this introduction sets out both a historical and contemporary view of Su Shi. It elucidates his far-reaching influence but also contemporary ‘currency’, suggesting of what might come after Su Shi, both in this image, but also akin to his free-spirited belief in the arts.

KEYWORDS:

• Free trade port
• Hainan
• heritage
• Su Dongpo
• Su Shi

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 For more on Su Shi and literati painting see: China Online Museum https://www.comuseum.com/painting/schools/literati-painting/

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Feng Jie

Feng Jie is Professor at Hainan University, China. Her book Fashion in Altermodern China (Bloomsbury, 2022), is based on her doctoral research on ‘uniformities’ of fashion completed at Winchester School of Art, University of Southampton, UK. She is a member of council for the Contemporary Urban Aesthetics Research Institute of China as well as the founder of the company Zero Degree, and as part of which, Director of the Neutral Institute.

Zhao Ying

Zhao Ying is a Research Fellow with University of Southampton (supported by the China Scholarship Council). She holds degrees from Zhongnan University of Economics and Law and Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, and has specific research interests in consumer psychology, international trade, luxury brands, international communication and cultural heritage.