The “Unique Charm: Exhibition of Works donated by Liang Yunqing” was opened at the CAFA Art Museum on April 1st, 2021.

Liang Yunqing is a renowned mural painter in the era of People’s Republic of China. He has made a great contribution to the revival of mural painting in the new China as well as the founding of Department of Mural Painting at CAFA. He had been teaching at the No. 3 Studio, Department of Oil Painting and Department of Mural Painting, and served as the Dean for Department of Mural Painting. In September 2020, Liang donated 44 works to CAFA Art Museum and the collection was selected as one of the “2020 National Artwork Collection and Donation Program”.

Exhibition View of “Unique Charm: Exhibition of Works Donated by Liang Yunqing”

Liang Yunqing was sent to study in East Germany in the 1950s. On returning to China, he brought back the professional and creative practices as well as teaching experience in mural painting which was used to influence generations of students. Liang has been diligent in his creations of mural painting. In the 1980s and 1990s, he actively supported the development of the New Mural Painting Movement while creating several public mural paintings including the first large-scale mosaic mural in China after the Reform and Opening-up: Magnificent Peaks Competing for Beauty. Being a modest and generous master in mural painting, Liang has donated his works to the CAFA Art Museum. He once compared himself to a snail, which carried on crawling even when carrying heavy burdens, he keeps creating art despite many difficulties. After he retired from work, Liang returned to Guangxi province and continued to portray the magnificent scenery in China.

Exhibition View of “Unique Charm: Exhibition of Works Donated by Liang Yunqing”

Liang’s art career is worthy of a retrospection and further research as he is a unique character of his generation that flourished in the People’s Republic of China. The exhibition is aims to display the unique vitality in Liang’s art creations. It showcases all the works donated by Liang to the CAFA Art Museum as well as his previous collection of art from the Museum. It also reviews and sorts Liang’s art and education experience from four perspectives: Art Enlightenment, Oil Painting from Life, Mural Painting Creation, and Exploration of Abstract Styles.

Honored guests that participated in the opening ceremony for the exhibition included: Wang Xiaolin, Deputy Party Secretary of CAFA; Sun Tao, Director of CAFA Academic Affairs Office; Tang Hui, Director of the Department of Mural Painting; Wang Changxing, Party Secretary of the Department of Mural Painting; Wang Yingsheng, Dean of the School of Restoration; Ma Juncheng, Dean of the School of City Design; Zhou Hongbing, Director of the CAFA Retirement Services Office; Gao Gao, Deputy Director of CAFA Art Museum; Liu Xiaohui, Deputy Dean of the Department of Mural Painting; Wang Fang, Deputy Party Secretary of the Department of Mural Painting; artist Liang Yunqing, senior professors from CAFA including Zhang Shiyan, Weng Naiqiang, Sun Jingbo, Dai Shihe, Chen Wenji, Du Fei and so on, Dong Yisha on behalf of Dong Xiwen, as well as Li Chen on behalf of Li Huaji.

Wang Xiaolin, Deputy Party Secretary of CAFA, addressed to the opening ceremony

Wang Xiaolin, Deputy Party Secretary of CAFA, addressed the opening ceremony, on the special day of the 103rd Anniversary of the Central Academy of Fine Arts, this exhibition provided a great example of education the academic construction, development of art education and study of students.

Professor Sun Jinbo who is former Dean of the Department of Mural Painting delivered a speech at the opening ceremony

As a colleague, assistant and student of Liang, Professor Sun Jinbo who is a former Dean of the Department of Mural Painting, described his experience on how he met and worked with Liang as well as the efforts that Liang and other colleagues contributed to the founding of the Department of Mural Painting.

Tang Hui, Dean of the Department of Mural Painting, gave a speech at the opening ceremony

Subsequently, Tang Hui, Dean of the Department of Mural Painting, expressed his sincere respect to Liang on behalf of all the graduates from the Department of Mural Painting in 1987 as well as all the teachers and students from the current Department of Mural Painting. He mentioned that, Liang’s indoctrination has deeply influenced his artistic creation and he felt lucky to see the display of donated works by Liang at CAFA Art Museum.

Artist Liang Yunqing made the final speech for the opening ceremony

Liang gave the final speech for the opening ceremony and he mentioned that he was an orphan and CAFA offered him a home. He was so grateful for the cultivation from CAFA that he wanted to donate works at the 80th Anniversary of the Founding of CAFA, but it was not realized until 2020. He hoped to send a donation in return to alma mater.

Wang Chunchen, Deputy Director of CAFA Art Museum, hosted the opening ceremony

Text edited by Sue, Photo by Hu Sichen/CAFA ART INFO

About the exhibition

Dates: April 1-18, 2021

Location: 4th Floor, CAFA Art Museum

Organizer: Central Academy of Fine Arts

Undertaker: CAFA Art Museum, CAFA Mural Painting Department

Special Acknowledgement: CAFA Retirement Services Office

Academic Director: Su Xinping

Supervisors: Tang Hui, Zhang Zikang, Wang Chunchen, Gao Gao

Curators: Li Yaochen, Hua Tianzi