WHAT
As one of the founders of modern Chinese painting, Wu Guanzhong (1919-2010) is recognised for shaping China’s contemporary art world with his new forms of artistic expression. His work embodies a synthesis of the techniques and ideas of traditional Chinese ink and western abstract painting. The exhibition features Wu’s original sketch of Chinese cypresses, along with other selected sketches and paintings from the museum’s collection and video footage of the ancient trees.

WHY
The exhibition is a journey exploring the story behind Wu’s encountering his first muse, ‘The four ancient cypresses of Suzhou’, and how they influenced many of his masterpieces throughout the years of his creative life. Through the impressive 3-metre-long ‘A sketch of Chinese cypresses’ along with other original selected sketches and paintings, visitors are able to take a closer look at the turning points of this modern master’s artistic career.