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Artist/Maker
Yun-Fei Ji
(Chinese American, born 1963)
Date2015
MediumInk and watercolor on Xuan paper, mounted on silk
DimensionsSheet: 42 7/8 × 32 1/16 in. (108.9 × 81.4 cm)
Frame: 44 1/4 × 33 3/4 × 1 1/4 in. (112.4 × 85.7 × 3.2 cm)
Credit LinePurchase, William G. Roehrick ’34 Art Acquisition and Preservation Fund
Object number2016.3.1
On view
DescriptionLike some of the other artwork in this section that explores the impact of modernization and industrialization on farming communities, Yun-Fei Ji’s painting The End of the Year interrogates the seismic shifts that have resulted from China’s transition from a predominantly agrarian to an increasingly urban society. Using traditional materials like ink and watercolor on Xuan paper mounted to silk, and seemingly traditional subject matter, Ji examines the impact of China’s political and social policies through his works. This painting depicts pigs being slaughtered as offerings in preparation for the celebration of a prosperous Chinese New Year. This is a period when a large number of Chinese people travel from the cities where they live and work back to their home regions. In many cases, this is the only time of year when a city worker may be able to reunite with their family. The End of the Year can be interpreted as a commentary on the disruption of community, while also acknowledging that urban opportunities may help to alleviate poverty. Whether the viewer interprets this work as predominantly critical or not, Ji has stated that “ritual connects people and gives life meaning.”
Collections
Additional Details
Exhibition History
2024-2025
Clinton, NY. The Ruth and Elmer Wellin Museum of Art, Hamilton College. "Menagerie: Animals in Art from the Wellin Museum," September 7, 2024 –June 8, 2025 (no cat.).
2016-17
Clinton, NY (Ruth and Elmer Wellin Museum of Art at Hamilton College). "Yun-Fei Ji: The Intimate Universe," February 6 - July 2, 2016 (unnumbered cat., illus.). Traveled to: Honolulu, HI (Honolulu Museum of Art), September 29, 2016 - February 5, 2017.
Clinton, NY. The Ruth and Elmer Wellin Museum of Art, Hamilton College. "Menagerie: Animals in Art from the Wellin Museum," September 7, 2024 –June 8, 2025 (no cat.).
2016-17
Clinton, NY (Ruth and Elmer Wellin Museum of Art at Hamilton College). "Yun-Fei Ji: The Intimate Universe," February 6 - July 2, 2016 (unnumbered cat., illus.). Traveled to: Honolulu, HI (Honolulu Museum of Art), September 29, 2016 - February 5, 2017.
Provenance
2016: Hamilton College (Ruth and Elmer Wellin Museum of Art), by purchase from Zeno X Gallery, Antwerp.
Markings
Stamp: on lower right and upper right in red ink.
Published References
Tracy L. Adler, YUN-FEI JI: THE INTIMATE UNIVERSE (Clinton, NY: Ruth and Elmer Wellin Museum of Art; Munich: DelMonico Books/Prestel, 2016), pp. 27, 163, illus. plate 1, p. 14, 26.
Inscribed
Chinese calligraphy at lower right composition in black ink.
Yun-Fei Ji
Date: 2014
Medium: Ink and watercolor on Xuan paper, mounted on silk
Object number: 2016.3.2
Jamea Richmond-Edwards
Date: 2018
Medium: Pigment print with silkscreen diamond dust and gold foil
Object number: 2020.1
Unknown artist, Chinese
Date: c. 960-1279
Medium: Ceramic with black glaze
Object number: 2016.6.2
Date: unknown
Medium: Ceramic with glaze
Object number: 1991.232
Alexa Kumiko Hatanaka
Date: 2021
Medium: Sumi paintings on washi, linocut on washi, rice bags, indigo, kakishibu, and gyotaku on washi, konnyaku, and handmade deckle box gampi paper
Object number: 2024.15
Date: early 19th century
Medium: Gouache and gold over white ground on paper
Object number: 1986.26
Marsden Hartley
Date: c. 1933-34
Medium: Oil on cardboard
Object number: 1986.18
Date: c. 883-859 BCE
Medium: Gypsum with remnants of red pigment
Object number: 1868.5
Cecil Beaton
Date: 1944; published 1945
Medium: Gelatin silver print
Object number: 1982.15