Classical touch
Late artist Jiang Zhaohe (1904-86) likely never imagined that one of his most iconic works, a monochrome portrait of Tang Dynasty (618-907) poet Du Fu, would one day inspire a wave of graffiti-style memes that have gone viral on social media. This painting is now on show at Jiang Zhaohe: The Wild Trail of Mine, underway at Shenzhen Museum of Contemporary Art and Urban Planning in Guangdong province. It runs through Oct 21.
The exhibition charts the evolution of Jiang's work, deeply shaped by the upheavals of the 20th century. A visionary who sought to make art for the people, Jiang played a key role in transforming classical Chinese painting. His body of work reflects deep compassion, capturing scenes of wartime suffering and the everyday lives of people at the grassroots. Jiang also created portraits of historical figures he believed were essential to preserving China's cultural legacy such as his depiction of Du Fu. These works have become staples in school textbooks and public museum collections, forming a vital part of modern China's visual arts education.
10 am-6 pm, closed on Mondays.184 Fuzhong Lu, Futian district, Shenzhen, Guangdong province.010-6502-5171.
Daring stylist
The Zhejiang Provincial Museum in Hangzhou has recently refreshed its long-term exhibition on legendary ink painter Huang Binhong (1865-1955). Part of the display was replaced with 46 new works including landscape paintings, calligraphic pieces, manuscripts and exchange letters with friends.
His expressive style portrayed mountains and trees as swirling circles or jagged triangles, rendered in loose, heavy strokes. He often shaded his scenes from angled perspectives, creating a sense of instability — works that have come to be known as the "Binhong-style dark".Born in Zhejiang and later passing away in the provincial capital Hangzhou, Huang left a profound legacy. After his death, many of his works and documents were acquired by the museum, where they continue to be exhibited as a testament to his innovation and enduring impact on Chinese ink painting.
9 am-5 pm, closed on Mondays. 25 Gushan Lu, Hangzhou, Zhejiang province. 0571-8601-3085/8796-0505.
Luminosity of white
White and All, now on view at the Tsinghua University Art Museum, is more than an exhibition on Dehua's celebrated white porcelain — revered in Europe as "blanc de chine" for its creamy finish and subtle sheen. It also explores the interplay between tradition and modernity, craftsmanship and culture, material and spirit.
The exhibition, running until Aug 17, highlights the long-standing collaboration between Tsinghua University and potters in Dehua county, Quanzhou, Fujian province, for years, aimed at reviving and reimagining this centuries-old porcelain tradition.
Members of the Academy of Arts and Design of Tsinghua University have worked shoulder to shoulder with artists in Dehua to develop fresh approaches to the pristine porcelain surface. By introducing new styles and expanding its functional possibilities, they aim to better integrate this timeless art form into contemporary life.
9 am-5 pm, closed on Mondays. Tsinghua University, Haidian district, Beijing. 010-6278-1012.
