Museum celebrates the legacy of Liu Haisu with an in-depth exhibition

"The 30th Anniversary Commemorative Exhibition of Liu Haisu Art Museum" is now on display at the museum and will run through May 28.

The exhibition, which is part of a series of events marking the 129th anniversary of Liu Haisu's birth (1896-1994), includes 144 artworks and archival documents, including a cluster of old masterpieces from the museum's collection that are being shown to the public for the first time.

Liu, a pioneer of contemporary Chinese art, left an indelible mark on the history of modern Chinese art over his century-long life. He excelled in Chinese painting, oils, and calligraphy and worked as an art instructor, art historian, and social activist.

The master is revered as a trailblazer of China's New Art Movement and a founding figure of modern art education in China.

On August 3, 1994, Liu donated his lifelong collection to the Liu Haisu Art Museum, which included over 300 pieces of calligraphy and paintings by renowned masters from various dynasties, as well as more than 360 canvases and over 200 Chinese ink-wash paintings and calligraphic works created by himself.

The exhibition is divided into four chapters.

The first chapter, "The Vigor of Heaven," is a curated selection of works donated by Liu, spanning ancient masterpieces from different periods as well as paintings and calligraphy created by Shanghai School (Haipai) artists of the 20th century.

The second chapter, "Journey Through Art," focuses on the museum's role as a cultural platform, bringing together works by foreign and contemporary Chinese artists.

The third chapter, "Gazing Upon the Sea," offers visitors an opportunity to see outstanding works from past editions of the Shanghai Youth Art Exhibition, a platform created to nurture the younger generation of artists in the country.

The fourth chapter, "Harmony of All Things," traces the museum's 30-year history through rare archival materials documenting its establishment and development.

Exhibition info:

Date: Through May 28, 2025 (closed on Mondays), 10am-6pm

Venue: Liu Haisu Art Museum

Address: 1609 Yan'an Rd W.

Admission: Free