A retired senior official in provincial government in Shaanxi called on government officials to resign from art associations. He took the lead by quitting as chairman of Shaanxi calligraphers’ association. This is a good beginning to reset the relations between politics and arts in China, says an article in Beijing News. Excerpts:

The government-sponsored art associations are very popular among retired government officials. As the Shaanxi official said he automatically became chairman of the provincial calligraphers’ association after retirement last year.

On one hand, these associations have the need to recruit the retired senior officials as their leaders to increase their own reputation and influence. On the other hand, some of the retired senior officials’ painting, calligraphy and photography skills really reach the level for the associations.

If the other old government officials can follow the Shaanxi official, more talented painters, calligraphers and photographers can join the art associations. It should be the talent that speaks in the organizations, rather than power and status.

The title of an art association chairman naturally increases the values of the retired officials’ artistic works, for which some businessmen may offer an exorbitantly high price, a bribe in fact, to buy their works, which are actually of limited values.

Cleaning the art associations is in effect also a part of China’s anti-corruption campaign.