Nanting Village and GAFA: The Rise and Transformation of an Artistic Enclave
Tucked away in Guangzhou University City, Nanting Village lies quietly next to the Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts (GAFA). More than just an ordinary urban village, it has grown into a unique artistic enclave shaped by the presence of the academy. Over the years, it has become not only a living space for students but also a ground for creation, exchange, and even entrepreneurship.
1. The Making of an Art Village: A Symbiotic Relationship with GAFA
The artistic atmosphere of Nanting did not emerge naturally—it is deeply intertwined with the existence of GAFA.
- How It Began
GAFA students renting spaces, living, and creating in the village gradually influenced its commercial and spatial dynamics. It’s fair to say that without GAFA, the “Nanting Art Village” as we know it would not exist. - Changing Demographics
In the early days, the village was mainly populated by GAFA students, supported by businesses serving their needs: art supply stores, framing shops, and small eateries. Over time, many of the original residents—especially the younger generation—moved out, leaving behind an aging population. Newcomers are mostly outside merchants, gradually commercializing the village structure. - Evolving Relations with Locals
Initially, tensions arose between villagers and students due to issues like land expropriation and relocation. However, as rental and business income grew, attitudes softened. With fewer original residents and an influx of new businesses, the village atmosphere shifted from confrontation to coexistence.
2. Art and Commerce: Creation and Survival in a Space of Freedom
In Nanting, art and business are not opposing forces—they form a coexisting ecosystem.
- Student Life and Creative Practice
Many students set up studios in Nanting because it was “cheap, free, and undisturbed.” The village’s earlier rawness and quiet supported creative work. Although rents have since risen and commercialization has intensified, many still cherish the atmosphere that remains. - From Creation to Entrepreneurship
Many students and alumni have started small businesses here—clothing stores, snack shops, or independent studios. For example, the “Blue House” is a clothing shop run by a GAFA graduate; another interviewee also once operated a fashion store here. - The Art Supply Chain
A localized network of art suppliers emerged, run mostly by families such as Old Li, Little Li, Old Liu, and Tianyi Art Store. These small businesses formed a stable supply chain. It’s worth noting that the passing of the old owner of Tianyi, who sold imported pigments, marked the end of an era.
3. Art and Space: Traces Left Behind and Those That Weren’t
In Nanting, art happens not only inside studios—it also exists in everyday spaces, though often briefly and vulnerably.
- How Environment Shapes Art
Beyond physical space, Nanting offers a certain creative state: freedom, informality, and distance from institutional constraints—all of which subtly shape students’ artistic paths and expression. - Where the Art Ends Up
Most student works don’t stay in Nanting. Locals seldom value art as such; leftover paintings are often discarded, damaged, or end up in the trash. Art happens here, but it rarely remains.
4. Structure and Memory: Mapping Nanting
The lanes of Nanting are more than passages—they are carriers of memory.
- Street Layout
Dongsida Street, a flagstone-paved main road, runs through the village, branching into several smaller lanes including Xishi Street. Three main alleys and the old stone path form the basic network of Nanting. - Key Memory Sites
- Guan Liang’s Former Residence: Home of the late Republican-era painter Guan Liang, linked to the Guan family’s history as tomb guardians.
- Long’s Hunan Restaurant: Run by GAFA affiliates, a key social and dining spot for students.
- Blue House Clothing Store: A representative student-run startup.
- Well Space: The only dedicated art exhibition venue in Nanting.
- Art Supply Stores: Such as those of Old Li, Little Li, and Old Liu—logistical hubs for student creators.
5. Nanting in Transition: From Art Enclave to Commercial Hub
Nanting is undergoing a quiet but profound transformation.
- Physical Renewal
About 95% of the houses have been rebuilt. New multi-story buildings offer higher rental returns, and the original village character has all but vanished. - Growing Commercialization
What began as three or four small shops has grown into a mixed-use area with restaurants, art supply stores, clothing shops, and convenience stores. The identity of an “artistic enclave” is being reshaped by student consumption and commercial logic. - Fewer Art Creators
In the past, Nanting hosted many students specializing in oil painting, traditional Chinese painting, and sculpture. Today, the number of practicing art students has declined, replaced by more general students and merchants.
Conclusion: Nanting Is Not Just a Place—It’s a State of Being
The relationship between Nanting Village and GAFA has never been one-sided. It is a process of mutual shaping that continues to this day. Art took root here, commerce followed, spaces were redefined, and memories persist even as they are constantly overwritten.
Though the future Nanting may become harder to recognize, the traces of those who once walked its stone paths, painted in its humble studios, and shared ideas over meals at the Hunan restaurant have already become part of the village’s invisible legacy—a layer of spirit beneath the surface of change.
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