Workers, Peasants and Soldiers

工农兵

According to Mao, workers, peasants, and soldiers—i.e. the masses—were the backbone of China and most importantly, served as the base of his support. Thus, according to the Chairman, art had to serve the general populace and have political, revolutionary content that would instruct them. 

Following Mao’s instructions, many new ceramics celebrated the masses either in sculptural or painted form.  In these examples, farmers, factory workers, and People’s Liberation Army (PLA) soldiers are depicted cheerfully completing their work for the sake of the nation and revolution; they highlight the alleged prosperity of the nation that was built upon the masses.  By celebrating workers, peasants, and soldiers and their contributions, these ceramics offered models for others to emulate: a reminder to faithfully and selflessly serve the motherland.  However, these ideal portrayals of labor gloss over the harsh reality faced by the Chinese population, including starvation, violence, and poor working and living conditions.

According to Mao, workers, peasants, and soldiers—i.e. the masses—were the backbone of China and most importantly, served as the base of his support. Thus, according to the Chairman, art had to serve the general populace and have political, revolutionary content that would instruct them. 

Following Mao’s instructions, many new ceramics celebrated the masses either in sculptural or painted form.  In these examples, farmers, factory workers, and People’s Liberation Army (PLA) soldiers are depicted cheerfully completing their work for the sake of the nation and revolution; they highlight the alleged prosperity of the nation that was built upon the masses.  By celebrating workers, peasants, and soldiers and their contributions, these ceramics offered models for others to emulate: a reminder to faithfully and selflessly serve the motherland.  However, these ideal portrayals of labor gloss over the harsh reality faced by the Chinese population, including starvation, violence, and poor working and living conditions.

在毛泽东看来,工人、农民和士兵——即群众——是中国的脊梁,最重要的是,是他的后盾。因此,根据主席的说法,艺术必须为大众服务,并具有指导他们的政治、革命内容。

按照毛泽东的指示,许多新陶瓷以雕塑或绘画的形式庆祝群众。在这些例子中,农民、工厂工人和解放军(PLA)士兵被描绘为为了国家和革命而兴高采烈地完成他们的工作;它们突出了建立在群众基础上的国家所谓的繁荣。通过庆祝工农兵及其贡献,这些陶瓷为其他人提供了效仿的榜样:提醒我们忠实无私地为祖国服务。然而,这些对劳动的理想描绘掩盖了中国人面临的严酷现实,包括饥饿、暴力以及恶劣的工作和生活条件。

Objects