Visual Construction of "Northern Guangxi Image": Aesthetic Characteristics of Landscape Oil Paintings of Traditional Villages in Guilin
List of Authors
Shafilla Subri, Yongli Yu
Keyword
Northern Guangxi Image, Landscape Oil Painting, Cultural Identity, Traditional Villages, Heritage Preservation
Abstract
This study investigates how landscape oil painters construct and represent the “Northern Guangxi Image” through depictions of traditional villages in Guanyang, Gongcheng, and Lingchuan. It aims to explore the aesthetic, emotional, and cultural meanings embedded in their artworks and how these artists perceive their role in preserving regional identity. A qualitative research design was employed, utilizing semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 12 landscape painters who specialize in rural scenes in Northern Guangxi. Participants were purposively selected based on their experience and portfolios. Thematic analysis was used to interpret the data and identify recurring concepts, visual strategies, and symbolic meanings. Three major themes emerged: the spiritual and emotional connection to the natural landscape, the nostalgic preservation of disappearing village life, and the symbolic construction of regional identity through local motifs and ethnic elements. Artists saw themselves as cultural storytellers and guardians, using their work to document and defend heritage amid modernization. This study gives voice to artists as cultural agents, offering a deeper understanding of how visual art contributes to heritage preservation and identity construction. It provides a framework for future qualitative research in regional art and supports policy efforts in cultural conservation and rural revitalization.