Interwoven artistry in Chinese poetry and paintings

Poetry and paintings are deeply intertwined in Chinese culture, with many painters drawing inspiration from ancient poems and combining paintings, calligraphy and classic poems into coherent artworks.

A painting created by Guan Shanyue in 1986. Photos by Cao Zhen

Now, enthusiasts of poetry and paintings can immerse themselves in the newly opened “Poetry in Chinese Mountains-and-Waters Paintings” exhibition at the Guan Shanyue Museum. Here, visitors can admire paintings created by masters spanning from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) to modern times.

Part of a painting created by Wang Shi in the Ming Dynasty. 

A visitor takes photos at the exhibition. The paintings on the wall were created by Su Liupeng in the Qing Dynasty.

A visitor takes photos at the exhibition. The painting on the left was created by Huang Yongyu in 1979.

The museum, named after the painting master Guan Shanyue (1912-2000), not only preserves and showcases his artworks but also conducts research on his artistic explorations and distinctive features across different periods, along with exploring 20th-century fine art through various exhibitions.

A visitor takes photos at the exhibition at Guan Shanyue Art Museum. (From L) A painting created by Guan Shanyue in 1986, a painting created by Zhang Daqian in 1945, and a painting created by Jiang Zhaohe in 1956. 

In celebration of its 27th anniversary, the art museum is holding this exhibition to delve into how Chinese painters intertwined poetry to establish connections and intricate layers of meaning in their art.

The exhibits are selected from collections of the Guan Shanyue Art Museum, the Li Bai Memorial Hall, the Shenzhen Museum, the Du Fu Thatched Cottage Museum, and San Su Ci.

A visitor reads a leaflet at a corner designed to feature Tang Dynasty poet Du Fu.

The Li Bai Memorial Hall, situated in poet Li Bai’s birthplace in Jiangyou City, Sichuan Province, stands as a tribute to the great Tang Dynasty (618-907) poet. As the former residence of Tang Dynasty poet Du Fu, the Du Fu Thatched Cottage in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, bears witness to the poet’s prolific creative years. And San Su Ci is a memorial temple and former residence of three literary masters from the Song Dynasty (960-1279) — Su Xun, Su Shi, and Su Zhe — in Meishan City, Sichuan Province.

Attendees of the exhibition can appreciate not only the refined paintings by modern masters like Guan Shanyue, Fu Baoshi, Feng Zikai, Huang Yongyu and Li Xiongcai but also the works of Ming and Qing (1644-1911) era painters such as Zhu Yunming and Jiang Chenying.

During the exhibition’s four-month duration, paintings will rotate for visitors to experience a wider array of exhibits. Additionally, dedicated spaces within the exhibition have been meticulously designed to resemble traditional Chinese gardens and study rooms, lending an immersive and authentic cultural experience to visitors.

Dates: Through Nov. 3

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