Suspected plagiarism overshadows youth fine art exhibition in China

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An artist at the 6th National Youth Fine Art Exhibition, which wrapped up on Sunday in Beijing, is being accused of plagiarism after her painting was found to be strikingly similar to another artist's piece from last year.

The bone of contention is an ink painting called "Guo Feng" by Zheng Shuo. The piece is said to be a copy of Li Fang's "Jing-No.2," a printmaking piece that was on display at the International Exhibition of Contemporary Art in 2017.

Li Fang's “Jing-No.2” on display at the International Exhibition of Contemporary Art in 2017. /Photo via Artron.Net

Zheng Shuo's ink painting “Guo Feng” on display at the 6th National Youth Fine Art Exhibition in 2018. /Photo via Artron.Net

Li said he was “completely shocked” when he saw Zheng’s work.

“Zheng’s piece is Chinese ink painting, mine is printmaking, but the background, the color and even the animals are the same in both,” Li said during an interview with Beijing Youth Daily.

“Plagiarism is nothing rare in the art circle,” Li told the newspaper. “We don’t have a good mechanism of punishment in dealing with plagiarism in China.”

People visit the 6th National Youth Fine Art Exhibition. /National Art Museum of China Photo

The China Artists Association, which organized the exhibition along with the National Art Museum of China, made a statement saying Zheng plagiarized Li's piece.

Zheng’s work has been withdrawn from the exhibition.

“I don’t want any punishment for Zheng, but I do hope she makes a written apology to me. Unfortunately, Zheng hasn’t contacted me so far,” said Li.

The National Youth Fine Art Exhibition was founded in 1957. This year, a total of 387 pieces of artwork were on display.

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