Abstract
This research investigates the recontextualisation of Chinese Peasant Painting (CPP) within the landscape of contemporary political communication in China. Originating in the 1950s, CPP is a form of folk art created by rural artists, traditionally centred on agricultural and rural life. Initially promoted as a tool of state propaganda, CPP later underwent a process of depoliticisation, shifting towards representations of folk traditions and rural aesthetics. Since the commencement of Xi Jinping’s leadership in 2012, CPP has been reintegrated into the state propaganda system. Selected works are used in political propaganda posters promoting state narratives such as the “Chinese Dream,” widely circulated across media platforms including airports, metro stations, bus stops, and village walls. CPP has also been mobilised in broader state-led campaigns, including Party congresses, social governance, and anti-corruption initiatives. This study adopts semiotic and discourse analysis to critically examine the recontextualisation of symbols in CPP within contemporary political communication. It focuses on how traditional folk symbols are inherited and reconfigured to serve as a medium for conveying political ideology in contemporary China. Overall, CPP, when appropriated for propaganda purposes, retains the symbolism of traditional Chinese culture while reinforcing national narratives such as the “Chinese Dream.” This recontextualisation blurs the boundaries between folk aesthetics and official discourse, enhancing the accessibility and communicative power of political messages. It highlights the cultural significance and media function of CPP in China’s mainstream political and cultural landscape.
Presenters
Lin ZhouStudent, PhD Candidate, University of New South Wales, New South Wales, Australia
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
CHINESE PEASANT PAINTING, POLITICAL VISUAL CULTURE, SEMIOTICS, DISCOURSE ANALYSIS, PROPAGANDA
