LB on CCTV: Artists Without Airs
Pioneers of kitsch art, the Luo Brothers—i.e. Luo Weidong, Luo Weijun, and Luo Weiguo—were recently featured on the famous CCTV-4 program Tianya Gongcishi. During the interview, Luo Weidong, the oldest of the three brothers, comes off as uniquely down-to-earth and genuine person. In discussing a range of topics—from how he and his two younger brothers ended up working as artists, to the excitement of selling his first piece, to the ups and downs of his romantic life—he quietly disproves the theory that accomplished artists in China can’t be modest. And to those who are already familiar with the Luo Brothers’ works, the unreserved nature of “Big Luo” revealed another hidden side of the artist trio.
As CCTV-4 holds great influence in Chinese communities abroad, this 15-minute exclusive interview offers a previously elusive group of people a warm introduction to the Luo Brothers and their works. “Big Luo” displayed the poster used in the 2006 FIFA World Cup advertising campaign that was especially designed to incorporate traditional Chinese New Year paintings. Later, audiences followed the camera to the Brothers’ studio, where they were privileged enough to catch a glimpse of their world-famous lacquer paintings, oil paintings, sculptures, and other signature compositions. You can watch the video here.
The Luo Brothers consist of Luo Weidong (born in 1962, graduated from Guangxi Art College in 1987), Luo Weiguo (born in 1964, graduated from Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts in 1987) and Luo Weibing (born in 1972, graduated from Central Academy of Fine Arts in 1997). They are among the earliest Chinese artists to come into contact with the Western world and receive universal acclaim. Their style is unique in the Chinese contemporary art scene: they are originators and ambassadors of gaudy art. Luo Brothers exhibitions have traveled to France, Australia, Brazil, Japan, Switzerland and many other countries. Though now working and residing in Bejiing, the trio’s most recent exhibition was a group showing in New York, Summer Chinese Print Show. Other news and related information is available on their sina blog, baidu.com and Flickr.