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Xie Chang-Yi - New Ninahua, Children love Comrade, 1954
Nianhua (New Year woodblock prints) are popular among the Chinese and posted in every household during the Lunar New Year. The two artworks issued here were created in 1954 and 1959, from the "New Ninahua" period which is after 1949 (the beginning of the Communist Regime). Certain directions were imposed by the Ministry of Culture on the creation of 'New Nianhua':
"New nianhua should emphasize labouring people's new, happy and hard-fought lives and their appearance of health and heroism. In art we must fully utilize folk styles, and strive to capture the customs of the masses. In printing, we must avoid ostentation and keep costs down."
A number of Nianhua printing centres flourished in Shangdong province, among which Yangjiabu was the most important. The two artists featured in GOOD Edition were noted for their work and the bringing of new contents into this age-old traditional folk art. Greatly optimistic and brilliant in colours, these pictures shed light and hope into the otherwise dull and cold winter days.
