From National Epic to Local Narrative: The Evolution of Red Revolutionary Painting in Guangxi Since China's Reform Era

Abstract

This study investigates the narrative shift and stylistic evolution of Guangxi’s red revolutionary painting language since China’s Reform era. It first reviews relevant historical and scholarly contexts to trace the development trajectory of this artistic genre. Employing a qualitative review and comparative analysis, examining the transformation from a unified national epic to a red cultural memory narrative unique to Guangxi itself (such as the Battle of Xiangjiang, etc.), and the stylistic evolution from a standardized visual paradigm to a regionalized aesthetic exploration. The analysis identifies the key stages of artistic development and clarifies the dynamic interaction between regional art and national macro-narratives. The findings highlight Guangxi’s dual role as both a participant in and a contributor to China’s modern and contemporary art discourse. This study not only constructs a theoretical framework for understanding the interplay between regional art and national ideology but also provides practical insights for the inheritance and innovation of red revolutionary painting in the new era.