Revolutionary Ideals Higher than the Sky adopts techniques of realism and juxtaposes with a romantic light and shadow, painting a boldly heroic and realistic scene: at a stop point on the Long March, next to a blazing bonfire, Chairman Mao gives a rousing speech with great enthusiasm, being surrounded by fellow soldiers who are completely engrossed in his charisma. Under Mao’s leadership, the soldiers are filled with the confidence that victory is imminent, displaying looks of hope and jubilance. The painting employs a sharp contrast of light and shadow – the wet and cold desolation of the Long March in stark contrast of the fiery revolutionary passion of the soldiers gathered by the bonfire. The painting is distinct, with a simple plotline, to celebrate the revolutionary pride in an easily understood and ebullient manner. Guided by Three Highlights (san tu chu) it indeed galvanizes and celebrates the heroic figure. At the same time, the painting also shows prominent characteristics of art from that era – “Red, Smooth and Luminescent” (hong guang liang). Using a realist drawing technique, the characters in the painting are robust and in ruddy health, glowing with joy. Though the overall image is slightly dark, the bonfire lends a moment of bright warmth.

Revolutionary Ideals Higher than the Sky is large-scale historic painting created by Shen Yaoyi in his youth. Out of an extraordinary longing and admiration for the Long March, Shen chose this as the theme for his art without hesitation. In 1975, Shen spent three months retracing the Long March route on his own. Upon his return, he started working on the large-scale oil paintings Following Chairman Mao on the Long March and A New Beginning from Now. In his artistic practice spanning more than half a century, Shen Yaoyi has travelled the Long March route five times already. The Long March occupies a critical part of his artistic career. During that unique historical period, Shen Yaoyi was the first artist to paint the Long March. These works embody a significant value both artistically and historically-speaking. Shen Yaoyi’s tireless artistic pursuit fits perfectly with the pulse of that generation, and exhibits strong and evocative elements from the Chinese culture.

(Edited by Lijie Wang & Miao Zijin, 2019)