Chinese Graphic Design and Modern Sketch Magazine

I recently went down a little rabbit hole regarding Chinese graphic design history. I’m not sure I have too much to say about it as I’m not the expert, but I’ll write up a little history about a particular magazine and show off a few pieces.

Modern Sketch was published between 1934 and 1937. It was a sort of graphic-arts-meets-men’s-interest magazine that drew from the American Jazz Age and the Art Deco/Bauhaus graphics as visual influences. It was sharply critical of political figures and eclectic in its influences. When it began publication, the Jazz Age and Art Deco were already in late bloom, and the Bauhaus had ceased operations. Modern Sketch functioned as a sort of icon of the international world for Chinese readers.

Modern Sketch Vol. 1. Art by Zhang Guangyu, with clear Art Deco illustration/type influence

Modern Sketch favored use of the nude or semi-nude female to grab the attention of its potential readers, though that was hardly ever its focus. In addition to art, it also ran humor and satire pieces. It was owned by Shao Xunmei, a Chinese literary figure who has been all but blackballed by the Chinese government post-Communism for his relatively Western ideals and decadence. Given China’s tendencies post-1946 it’s hardly surprising.

Issue 7 Cover by Hu Kao. This screams AM Cassandre to me.

This too.

Modern Sketch paints a picture of a China empowered by its youth, decadent and grotesque in its cartoonish glory. Oddly enough, some of those published in this magazine went onto political careers after the magazine ceased publication.

I’d also like to highlight a few examples of Chinese Bauhaus work from a book. These are pretty sweet too, and showcase western influence on Chinese graphic design in that time period.