Revisit master's journey through paintings

The Guan Shanyue Art Museum, which is dedicated to preserving and exhibiting Guangdong master Guan Shanyue’s works, is launching the “Innovation of Painting” exhibition featuring paintings and sketches by Guan (1912-2000) during his trip to Southwest China between 1940 and 1946.

A painting created by Guan Shanyue in 1942 depicts the Miao people at a market. Photos courtesy of Guan Shanyue Art Museum

According to the art museum director Chen Xiangbo, the exhibition reflects the arduous journeys undertaken by Guan during his trip to Guangxi, Guizhou, Yunnan, Sichuan and Chongqing, as well as his innovative approach to sketching. His sketching experience during the wartime led him to focus more on the lives of people, capture realistic portrayals and preserve the vivid characteristics of folk lives.

A painting created by Guan Shanyue in 1942 portrays an old mason.

The exhibition also utilizes digital media to showcase historical documents and images to provide visitors with a panoramic view of the challenges Guan and artists in his generation met in sketching their trips. Viewers will understand how those Chinese painters continuously explored new styles and techniques in painting.

A painting created by Guan Shanyue in 1942 depicts women at a sugarcane market.

Guan was a highly influential artist known for his contributions to Chinese painting and calligraphy. After he returned to Guangdong from his trip to Southwest China, he published a collection of sketches. In the preface, he emphasized the cause that motivated his sketching: “If I don’t move, I have nothing to paint. Without the stimulation of the earth, I have nothing to paint. The changing weather, people and customs are my ‘cause’ for painting.”

A painting created by Guan Shanyue in 1941 portrays the landscape along Jialing River.

Dates: Until Nov. 20

Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m., closed Mondays

Booking: WeChat account “gsyart”

Venue: Guan Shanyue Art Museum, Futian District (关山月美术馆)

Metro: Line 3 or 4 to Children’s Palace Station (少年宫站), Exit F2