Folk Art In-Depth

Feng Zikai,as a renowned modern cartoonist,essayist,and translator,holds a significant position in the literary world.For a long time,academic evaluations of Feng Zikai have focused on descriptions such as "the artist most resembling an artist" and "standing out from the crowd," suggesting that his "literary image" allows people to temporarily escape from the mundane world through daydreams.Coupled with his pursuit of humor,appreciation for a leisurely lifestyle,and love for children,Feng Zikai was once considered an artist who advocated for the separation of creation from real life.However,this is not entirely accurate.He praised great artists like Mily Balakirev and Leo Tolstoy for their depictions of daily life and advocated for concepts such as "seeing the big picture through the small details," "harmony with the masses," and "art deeply rooted in the people" in an effort to promote "popular art." Not only did he create a series of works that genuinely reflect the life and spirit of various social groups,but he also attempted to universally teach art knowledge to the general public through education,showcasing his profound connection to the people.Looking back at Feng Zikai’s life journey,his awareness of the people was continually reinforced by his upbringing,mentors,and traditional culture.The influence of the folk customs and family traditions of Shimen Bay,as well as the nurturing of his hometown’s soil,ensured that he could not sever his ties with the people.The turbulent times,intense ideological clashes,and particularly the full outbreak of the Anti-Japanese War brought him even closer to the people.His literary views concerning the people’s consciousness and his unique practice of popularizing literature and art cannot be erased simply because he seems to maintain a noble stance detached from politics.Rediscovering Feng Zikai’s awareness of the people and his practice of popular art not only deepens our understanding of him but also contributes to and inspires contemporary discussions on the concept of folk literature.Therefore,this article takes Feng Zikai’s consciousness of the people as its starting point,striving to explore the origins and connotations of this folk-oriented thinking.By doing so,we aim to provide a more rational and objective grasp of Feng Zikai and his artistic views,which in turn will offer fresh insights into Chinese folk literature and seek enlightenment for the further development of this discipline in the new era.