Features
- Cover Type: Hard Cover with 290 pages
- Published by: Charles E Tuttle Co March 15, 2008
- Written in: English
- ISBN 10 Number: 080483864X
- ISBN 13 Number: 978-0804838641
-
Book Dimensions:
11.1 x 8.9 x 1.5 inches
- Weighs: 3.6 pounds
Product Description
Chinese Art is a guide to the meanings behind the hundreds of common motifs and symbols found in all forms of Chinese art. A thorough examination of the diverse usage of natural symbols, colors, numbers, inanimate items and personages,
Chinese Art communicates the deeper messages to be found in Chinese decorative art. It is an great reference for collectors, museum-goers and students of Chinese art, culture and history.
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 resides in Singapore.
Reader ReviewsPatricia Welsh turns, what at first glance could be considered a dry and dull subject, into an adventure of discovery. Alongside her obvious expertise and deep academic appreciation of her subject the writer has created a reference book where ideas are beautifully expressed in a clear, easy to read style. The result borders on what can only be described as academic story telling clearly indicating the extraordinary skill of the author. At no time is the reader left in any doubt that this is a work of true substance. This book has the ability to enthral as it subtly draws the reader in, to the point where each page is a compulsive read. This scholarly work is a treasure trove of amazing facts and figures to explain how Chinese design is a vehicle for communicating specific messages, some simple, some complex metaphors or puns. The culture and language are effectively related to history and symbols in a compelling way. All in all a first class reference book which surprisingly happens to be a good read into the bargain.
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