What is the purpose?

Unsung Heroes of Ink seeks to bring recognition to the production of handmade xuan (宣纸) paper, the favoured paper for leading painters and calligraphy from the late sixteenth century, to a wider audience. The documentary will show the technical processes of xuan  papermaking, carried out by craftsmen in Jing County (泾县), Anhui Province, the foremost region for the production of high quality artists’ papers since the Tang dynasty. The documentary will show the steps of making xuan paper — from the gathering of raw materials to producing sheets of paper, and eventually the treatment of paper for specific artistic purposes.

The craftsmen — and some of their descendants — of the papermaking factories, to this day, have played a crucial role in the ink art ecosystem. These “unsung heroes of ink” carry out a multitude of labour intensive processes to produce the perfect handmade paper to meet the demands of the artists. This documentary will give voices and faces to these craftsman, and show how they take pride in their unique craft and industry. 

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In order to convey the continuing importance of high quality papers today, Unsung Heroes of Ink will feature two Chinese artists who are exceedingly respectful of and exacting about the papers they use. While the oeuvre of each artist is markedly contemporary, they highly value traditional materials. Each artist’s relationship with his materials is closely tied with his innovation techniques. Why is the quality of paper important? How does a deeper understanding of one’s materials affect an artist’s work? Each artist has his unique approach towards paper. The documentary will also feature a scholar and art historian who has carried out extensive research on the papers that ink artists use to create their paintings, from antiquity to present day. 

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Contemporary ink art has received a growing level of attention in recent years. Premier museums, both in China and elsewhere, have presented exhibitions highlighting the genre. Similarly, galleries and auction houses have staged solo and group ink exhibitions to actively cultivate collectors. Whilst these efforts have kindled growing enthusiasm for this genre from international audiences, there has been limited attention given to the materials that artists use to create paintings and calligraphy. The majority of audiences today are unaware of the importance of the papers that ink artists use. By bringing recognition to the art of papermaking, Unsung Heroes of Ink will provide a vital context and backdrop to the ink-painting tradition. Ultimately, a greater understanding of this essential material will contribute to an enriched appreciation for ink art. 

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Who is the target audience? 

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My intended audience is someone who has an interest in art and Chinese art. For those who already have an understanding of ink painting, the documentary will provide an enhanced appreciation of the art form. 
 

What is the format? 

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The documentary will be approximately 20-25 minutes long. 

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