Image Interventions: The Rise and Development of Direct Photographic Use in Contemporary Chinese Printmaking

Abstract

This paper investigates the direct use of photographic images in contemporary Chinese printmaking, focusing on works from the 10th to 13th National Exhibition of Fine Arts. Based on a sample of 1, 395 selected works, four categories are identified: highly photographic reproduction, collage/reference/transformation, non-photographic realism, and abstract/expressive. Statistical analysis shows a clear shift from photography as a subtle reference to a central compositional strategy, reflecting both the influence of digital technology and the changing visual logic of printmaking. While enhancing precision and expanding expressive potential, this trend raises concerns over medium-specific integrity, aesthetic experience, and cultural homogenization. Combining quantitative data with a survey of artists' attitudes, the study reveals diverse ways in which photographic thinking merges with printmaking practice, highlighting the dual challenge of innovation and the preservation of humanistic depth in the digital era.