Dates:
October 21-November 30, 2025
(Closed on Sundays)
Opening Hours: 9:00-16:30
Location:
Beihang Art Museum (5th Floor, Yifu Science Museum), Xueyuan Road Campus
Hosted by:
Beihang University
Art Development Center of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism
Organized by:
Publicity Department of the CPC Beihang University Committee
Aesthetic Education Center, Beihang University
Data & Information Department, Art Development Center, Ministry of Culture and Tourism
Fine Arts Department, Art Development Center, Ministry of Culture and Tourism
About the Exhibition:
In celebration of the 73rd anniversary of Beihang University and the inauguration of the Art Museum at its Shahe Campus, the university proudly presents the exhibition "China in Paintings by Chinese Artists—The Blossoming of an Era." This exhibition is jointly hosted by Beihang University and the Art Development Center of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
Guided by the philosophy of "Comprehensive Aesthetic Education and Holistic Immersion," Beihang University is committed to strengthening students' cultural awareness and building a distinctive aesthetic education system that integrates art with technology.
As a vital branch of Chinese painting, flower-and-bird painting is deeply rooted in traditional culture, carrying profound cultural symbolism and philosophical meaning. Its composition, brushwork, and artistic conception are infused with traditional aesthetic principles such as the harmony between humanity and nature and learning from the natural world, which reflects a personalized contemplation of nature and serves as a visual expression of traditional cultural values.
At the same time, flower-and-bird painting mirrors the artistic trends of the time: the meticulous elegance of Song Dynasty court paintings reflected imperial aesthetics and the spirit of scholarly investigation; the free-spirited ink play of Yuan literati paintings expressed the recluse ideals and individuality of scholars; during the Ming and Qing dynasties, the rise of urban communities led to more vibrant and expressive styles, with subjects increasingly drawn from daily life, showcasing shifts in social structure. In modern and contemporary times, amid cultural exchanges and societal transformations, flower-and-bird artists have actively explored new directions—integrating realist techniques, experimenting with abstract compositions, engaging with ecological themes, or expressing personal perspectives—continuously revitalizing this classical genre with new visual languages and contemporary relevance.
As an artistic medium that merges tradition with modernity, masterpieces of flower-and-bird painting from each era bear the cultural ethos and aesthetic aspirations of their time, exemplifying how tradition renews itself in new contexts. Today, facing a richer reality, flower-and-bird painting must remain grounded in tradition while embracing the responsibility of preserving and transmitting cultural heritage; in the meantime, it should also resonate with the spirit of the times in form, style, and meaning, drawing inspiration from life and pursuing innovative expressions that capture the dynamism of the contemporary world.
