Masterful Brilliance: A Special Exhibition of Pang Xunqin

Exhibition Dates: July 15, 2026 – October 13, 2026 Exhibition Venue: First Floor Exhibition Hall, Tsinghua University Art Museum Organizers: Tsinghua University, National Art Museum of China, China Artists Association Co-organizers: Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University, Tsinghua University Art Museum, Wu Guanzhong Art Center, Tsinghua University, Pang Xunqin Art Museum Supporting Organizations: China National Academy of Painting, Central Academy of Fine Arts, Jiangsu Provincial Art Museum, Shandong Publishing Group Co., Ltd.

Pang Xunqin (1906-1985), a founder of modern Chinese art and design, and a key figure in the establishment of the first higher education institution of art and design in New China—the Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University (formerly the Central Academy of Arts & Design). Through a lifetime of exploration and practice, he made outstanding contributions to the development of modern Chinese art and modern art and design education. He was a significant art master and educator in the modern transformation of art in New China.

2026 marks the 120th anniversary of Pang Xunqin's birth, the 115th anniversary of Tsinghua University, and the 70th anniversary of the Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University (formerly the Central Academy of Arts & Design). Tsinghua University, the National Art Museum of China, and the China Artists Association jointly present the "Founder of Modern Chinese Art and Design – The Brilliance of a Master: A Special Exhibition of Pang Xunqin," co-organized by the Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University Art Museum, Tsinghua University Wu Guanzhong Art Research Center, and the Pang Xunqin Art Museum.

The exhibition will officially open on July 15th, with the opening ceremony and the launch of the "Complete Works of Pang Xunqin" on July 29th.

This exhibition is divided into four parts: "Exploration, Exploration, and Further Exploration," "The Pioneer of Modern Art," "The Aspiration for a Strong Nation through Modern Decoration," and "A Confident Path of Inheritance and Tradition." It brings together over 400 works and documents by Mr. Pang Xunqin, showcasing his pioneering contributions to modern painting and design, arts and crafts education, and decorative arts research. It systematically presents Pang Xunqin's artistic life, characterized by his mastery of both Chinese and Western art, his integration of ancient and modern styles, and his dedication to serving his country through art.

Part One: Exploration, Exploration, and Further Exploration

In 2026, the Year of the Horse, Pang Xunqin's zodiac sign is Horse. This section features selected manuscripts of nine horse motifs from the Wei, Jin, Northern and Southern Dynasties, and Han and Tang Dynasties, as well as his innovative creations of related horse motifs, presented independently in the introductory hall. These symbolize Pang Xunqin's spirit of continuous exploration, self-improvement, pioneering spirit, and selfless dedication to national salvation and strength.

Part Two: The Prelude to Modern Art

Pang Xunqin abandoned medicine for art in his early years, traversing from East to West and back again. During a period of internal and external turmoil and artistic weakness in China, he set his artistic ambition on "glorifying China." He and his like-minded colleagues founded China's first modern painting group, the "Storm Society," questioning: "Where has the genius of our ancestors gone? Where has our glorious history gone?" With a whirlwind of energy, he looked back at tradition, gazed at the world, and explored a painting language that combined the spirit of the times with Eastern aesthetics, thus heralding a modern aesthetic awakening.

Part Three: A Vision for a Modernized and Powerful Nation

This section primarily presents Pang Xunqin's exploration in decorative art research and innovative practice: from founding the "Daxiong Industrial and Commercial Art Society" to promote art out of the ivory tower and into real life; to delving into the folk art of Southwest China, systematically collecting and organizing traditional pattern resources, and exploring the path of transforming traditional patterns into modern design; and then dedicating himself to arts and crafts education, rebuilding the foundation of national aesthetics with traditional decorative art, responding to the needs of contemporary life with design, and laying the foundation for a modern design art system by cultivating modern design talents. This continuous practice and exploration demonstrates Pang Xunqin's ideal pursuit and historical responsibility of educating people through art and strengthening the nation through art.

Part Four: A Confident Path of Inheritance and Transmission

This section focuses on Pang Xunqin's artistic exploration of bridging the boundaries between ancient and modern, Chinese and Western, painting and design. While continuing the lineage of traditional Chinese decorative art, he innovated and pioneered a path for Chinese art to take root in tradition and move towards modern rebirth. "Inheritance and transmission" is his representative and long-held artistic and traditional view. This section showcases over one hundred original works by Pang Xunqin from different periods, including oil paintings, watercolors, and traditional Chinese paintings. From these works, we can see how this artistic pioneer, who was well-versed in both Chinese and Western art and endured many hardships, confidently promoted and carried forward Chinese art and devoted himself to it.