Before Mu Xin passed away in 2011, he had taken a look at the museum design and said: "Ah! Wind, water and a bridge!" This summarizes the core design concept of the building and its surroundings in his hometown. "Bridging" is the very metaphor that vividly depicts his devotion to the integration of cultural elements of Asia and the West. Photos Provided To China Daily

Museum for Mu Xin showcases his writings, art and fiery passion

Sitting quietly on the Yuanbao Lake inside Wuzhen's Xizha scenic area, the modern, wood-colored Mu Xin Art Museum blends surprisingly well with the generally touristy area in ancient Chinese style.

Across the lake, Wuzhen Grand Theater stands tall, facing the museum. Its elliptical design forms a sharp contrast with the hard straight lines of the museum, as if the theater held all the passion of acting, while the museum housed the sober and quiet soul of painter, musician and writer Mu Xin.

Mu Xin ("heart of wood"), whose original name was Sun Pu, was born in Wuzhen town in 1927. He and writer Mao Dun grew up in the same street in Wuzhen's Dongzha (east side). Young Mu Xin often went to Mao's home to read his collection of foreign books.

A skilled artist, Mu Xin graduated from Shanghai Academy of Fine Arts, majoring in Western painting.

Since the age 14, he had been writing stories. By 1970, when all his works were taken away and destroyed during the "cultural revolution" (1966-76), he had finished more than 100 short stories and eight novella collections.