The Art Museum of China Academy of Art
About The Art Museum of China Academy of Art
The Art Museum of China Academy of Art, affiliated with the China Academy of Art (Hangzhou), was proposed by Mr. Cai Yuanpei, then Minister of Education, and founded by Mr. Lin Fengmian, the academy’s first president, in 1935. As one of China's national key art museums, it encompasses the Art Museum, the China Design Museum, and the Crafts Museum, housing a collection of over 100,000 pieces, including precious cultural relics such as ancient and modern calligraphy and paintings.
For nine decades, the Art Museum has upheld its mission to "cultivate artistic talent, advance art movements, and foster public aesthetic education," serving as one of the pivotal spots for Chinese art education and creative movements. Recent landmark exhibitions include "The Brilliance of Song Dynasty in Modern Times" (2023) and "The Way is Infinite: Centennial Retrospective Exhibition of Zao Wou-Ki" (2023–2024). In collaboration with the Venice Biennale, it co-organized "The Perfect Path: Hangzhou, Marco Polo’s ‘City of Heaven’" (2024), following a MoU between the institutions.
https://en.caa.edu.cn/
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Interview with Xuhong Yu, director of The Art Museum of China Academy of Art
Can you provide a brief description of the mission and vision of the museum?
The Art Museum of China Academy of Art, affiliated with the China Academy of Art (Hangzhou), was proposed by Mr. Cai Yuanpei, then Minister of Education, and founded by Mr. Lin Fengmian, the academy’s first president, in 1935. It is one of China's national key art museums. For nine decades, the Art Museum has uphelds its mission to "cultivate artistic talent, advance art movements, and foster public aesthetic education," serving as a pivotal site for Chinese art education and creative movements. The museum's exhibitions are oriented around four key dimensions: ancient, contemporary, Chinese, and international art. Recent landmark exhibitions include "The Brilliance of Song Dynasty in Modern Times" (2023) and "The Way is Infinite: Centennial Retrospective Exhibition of Zao Wou-Ki" (2023–2024). In collaboration with the Venice Biennale, it co-organized "The Perfect Path: Hangzhou, Marco Polo’s ‘City of Heaven’" (2024), following a MoU between the institutions.
Can you tell us about the Art Museum of China Academy of Art's collection and how it contributes to attracting visitors and establishing a dialogue to connect with its communities and context and enhance the public's understanding of art?
The Art Museum of China Academy of Art encompasses the Art Museum, the China Design Museum, and the Crafts Museum, housing a collection of over 100,000 pieces, including precious national-level cultural relics, such as Ming and Qing dynasty calligraphy and paintings, as well as significant modern Chinese artworks. Its diverse collection spans traditional Chinese painting, calligraphy, oil painting, printmaking, sculpture, films, and other major artistic mediums. The museum actively collects, displays, and promotes works by renowned artists associated with the China Academy of Art, including Huang Binhong, Pan Tianshou, Lin Fengmian, Zao Wou-Ki, among other distinguished alumni and faculty members.
How does your institution prioritize sustainability in its operations and practices?
High-quality exhibitions serve as a catalyst for donations from artists' families and the broader community. Recently, following the tremendous success of "The Way is Infinite: Centennial Retrospective Exhibition of Zao Wou-Ki" (2023–2024), the museum received significant donations of Zao Wou-Ki's works and archival materials. These include: 10 oil paintings, 174 prints, and 28 ceramic works donated by the artist's widow, Françoise Marquet-Zao; 1 oil painting and 17 important early documents donated by his son Zhao Jialing and daughter-in-law Chen Mian; 402 archival items donated by his sister Zhao Wuxuan.
Leveraging the rich academic resources of China Academy of Art's faculty and students, the museum integrates exhibition research and curation with academic programs. This approach creates a virtuous cycle that simultaneously advances pedagogy, research, and curatorial training, achieving mutual reinforcement between institutional practice and artistic pedagogy.
Can you share any museum practices related to the management, interpretation and presentation of exhibition programs and educational and outreach initiatives that offer content that connects with people, communities and their context?
The Art Museum of China Academy of Art consistently develops exhibition themes that resonate with both the school’s academic tradition and the local cultural and natural environment. A prime example is the groundbreaking exhibition "The Brilliance of Song Dynasty in Modern Times" held from March to April 2023, which marked the first public reunion and display of works by the Four Great Masters of the Southern Song Dynasty in 800 years. Focusing on Song Dynasty painting and calligraphy and their enduring legacy, the exhibition's curatorial idea particularly highlighted the influence of Hangzhou's landscape on the evolution of traditional Chinese painting and calligraphy. This curatorial approach created profound resonance among local visitors, who found themselves deeply moved by the interplay between historical heritage and contemporary relevance.
From September 2023 to February 2024, “The Way is Infinite: Centennial Retrospective Exhibition of Zao Wou-Ki,” co-curated with the Zao Wou-Ki Foundation, highlighted the connection between Zao Wou-Ki’s art and China, particularly Hangzhou and his alma mater. This exhibition marked the homecoming of the artistic spirit of Zao Wou-Ki, an alumnus of the China Academy of Art. Hangzhou served as the starting point of his artistic career, and the retrospective exhibition emphasized how West Lake profoundly inspired his work. The success of the exhibition led to the donation of a series of artworks by Zao Wou-Ki’s family, including My Home in Hangzhou (1947) and other pieces created during his time in the city. These works have now returned to Hangzhou and his alma mater, where they continue to inspire new generations of artists.
Is there a recent or current exhibition at your museum that you would like to highlight to the international CIMAM community, and could you share why this particular project stands out for you or holds special significance?
On April 9, 2025, "Furnacing the Black Legend: 'Black Myth: Wukong'" art exhibition opened at the Art Museum of China Academy of Art. This exhibition was curated around China’s first globally acclaimed AAA game, which draws inspiration from the classic Chinese mythology Journey to the West. When showcasing the game’s character and environment designs, the exhibition emphasizes the use of traditional Chinese cultural elements and their underlying spirit. It stands as a brilliant example of the perfect fusion between cultural legacies and cutting-edge technology.
Can you suggest a song to be included in CIMAM's Spotify playlist?
We propose adding “Anthem of China Academy of Art 中国美术学院校歌” (originally titled "Anthem of National College of Art 国立艺专校歌") to CIMAM’s Spotify playlist.
Connect with the Director, Curatorial, and Collection staff by browsing CIMAM’s Membership Directory in the Members Only section.