Qian Shaowu (1928-2021) was a renowned Chinese sculptor, art educator, theorist, and painter, representing the outstanding first generation of sculptors cultivated in New China. If the generation of Liu Kaiqu, the pioneers of modern Chinese sculpture, laid the foundation for 20th-century sculpture education and artistic creation in China through their arduous remarkable efforts under the influence of European sculpture, then Qian Shaowu and his contemporaries drew on from the experiences of Soviet sculpture while exploring Chinese traditional culture and aesthetic spirit. Their work has significant theoretical and practical implications for the development of modern Chinese sculpture.
This exhibition primarily showcases over a hundred sculptures and sketches donated by Qian Shaowu to Tsinghua University, particularly focusing on a large collection of sketches that have rarely been shown to the public. It aims to provide the visitorsaudiences with insight into Qian Shaowu's unique approach to figure art and his theoretical reflections, highlighting his contributions to the construction and development of a distinctive Chinese sculpture theory. This is vital for promoting the creation and teaching of sculpture in China, as well as for the research, historical discourse, and aesthetic appreciation of sculpture.
The artistic methods Qian Shaowu developed throughout his career in traditional Chinese figure modeling are grounded in the aesthetic principle of "a single breath of creation" (一气呵成), which became the core concept in his establishment of Chinese sculpture theory. These invaluable sculptures and sketches have broadened the scope of his research in the field of sculpture art, advancing the development of Chinese sculpture studies. From his this work, we can observe his profound ability to quietly observe, concentrate, and create seamlessly in one breath, embodying the grandeur of a master artist.
