The opening ceremony of “The Splendor of the Grand Master, the Luminary of Guanghua Road: Pang Xunqin Special Exhibition”, paired with the official launch of The Complete Works of Pang Xunqin, took place at the Tsinghua University Art Museum. Jointly organized by Tsinghua University, the National Art Museum of China, and the China Artists Association, the event gathered over 300 distinguished guests, including leading artists, design educators, scholars, alumni, and Pang Xunqin's family members, to commemorate two significant milestones: the 120th anniversary of Pang Xunqin's birth and the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University (formerly the Central Academy of Arts & Design), which he played a central role in establishing.

Group Photo at the Opening Ceremony

Exhibition View

Senior leadership and prominent figures in attendance included Peng Gang, Vice President of Tsinghua University; Fan Di’an, Chairman of the China Artists Association; Pan Yikui, Director of the National Art Museum of China; Liu Wenqiang, Party Secretary and Chairman of Shandong Publishing Group; Wang Yuming, professor at Tsinghua University and academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering; and Tsinghua University distinguished professors of the humanities Han Meilin, Liu Guanzhong, Du Dakai, and Liu Jude. The opening ceremony was hosted by Wang Xiaomo, Vice Dean of the Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University.

In his opening remarks, Vice President Peng Gang highlighted that Pang Xunqin blazed a trail for modern arts and crafts in China, devoting his life to fulfilling the mission of university aesthetic education: to nurture individuals through art and enlighten minds through culture, cultivating a new generation with sound personalities and rich inner lives. His spirit of fearless exploration, devotion to the nation, and pursuit of beauty illuminated the development of modern Chinese art and design, and continues to resonate in China’s endeavor to build its cultural strength and advance aesthetic education in higher education.

Remarks by Fan Di'an (left) and Pan Yikui (right)

Fan Di’an, Chairman of the China Artists Association, described Pang as an ever-shining star in the constellation of 20th-century Chinese art. “He stood consistently at the forefront of his time while remaining deeply immersed in academic inquiry, making extraordinary contributions to modern Chinese fine arts and design education,” Fan noted.

Pan Yikui, Director of the National Art Museum of China, remarked that Pang Xunqin's artistic trajectory reflected the broader transformation and quest of 20th-century Chinese art. By innovating while upholding fundamental principles, Pang forged a distinct path toward modern art suited to China’s unique cultural context, leaving behind a rich creative and intellectual legacy.

Remarks by Han Meilin (left) and Ding Ting (on behalf of Ding Shaoguang) (right)

The event featured reflective addresses from several key figures. Tsinghua distinguished professor Han Meilin shared personal memories of his student days, expressing gratitude to Pang Xunqin for personally guiding him into the field of arts and crafts, a decision that laid the foundation for his lifelong creative journey. A message from renowned artist and Tsinghua alumnus Ding Shaoguang, delivered by his daughter Ding Ting, emphasized Pang’s inclusive vision of art, which broke down barriers between artistic disciplines and championed the value of traditional crafts and anonymous artisans. Pang Xunqin’s son, Pang Jun, in a statement read by his sister Pang Qi, Pang Xunqin’s daughter, recalled his father’s steadfast commitment to his artistic ideals despite a life marked by hardship and historical turbulence.

Remarks by Wu Qiong (left) and Pang Qi (on behalf of Pang Jiun) (right)

Wu Qiong, Dean of the Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University, described Pang Xunqin as the foundational spirit and cultural anchor of the academy. Pang’s vision integrating Chinese and Western art, his steadfast commitment to his original aspiration, and his dedication to serving the nation through art provide a lasting point of reference for preserving cultural legacy amid globalization.

Book Launch Ceremony of "The Complete Works of Pang Xunqin"

Remarks by Liu Wenqiang (left) and Qin Chuan (right)

Remarks by Liu Jude (left); Opening Ceremony moderated by Wang Xiaomo (right)

Following the opening remarks, the official launch and donation ceremony for The Complete Works of Pang Xunqin took place. Vice President Peng Gang, alongside Liu Wenqiang, Liu Jude, and Qin Chuan, Party Secretary of the Academy of Arts & Design, unveiled the eight-volume publication. As a major academic publishing initiative, The Complete Works of Pang Xunqin systematically compiles Pang’s artistic portfolio, theoretical writings, and archival documents, filling a significant gap in research on the history of modern Chinese fine arts, craft traditions, and design education.

Divided into four thematic sections, the exhibition features more than 400 works and historical documents. It will remain open to the public at the Tsinghua University Art Museum through October 13, highlighting Pang Xunqin’s pioneering contributions across modern painting, design, craft education, and decorative art research.

Presentations by Hang Jian (left), Wang Yong (center), and Dong Zhanjun (right)

Presentations by Wang Luxiang (left), Yu Yang (center), and Wu Hongliang (right)

Presentations by Li Lixin (left), Shang Gang (center), and Liu Jude (right)

Presentations by Xu Lian (left), Wang Duanting (center), and Shao Xiaofeng (right)

In the afternoon, an academic seminar convened at the museum, bringing together more than 20 scholars from leading art and research institutions, including the Central Academy of Fine Arts, the Chinese National Academy of Arts, and the Nanjing University of the Arts, to discuss Pang Xunqin’s artistic philosophy, educational contributions, and enduring impact on the trajectory of 20th-century Chinese art and design.

Presentations by Cao Qinghui (left), Wu Xueshan (center), and Wei Jia (right)

Presentations by Fang Zhenning (left), Zhu Zhongshou (center), and Zhou Aimin (right)

Presentations by Guo Qiuhui (left), Zeng Hui (center), and Pang Yuan (right)

Concluding remarks by Zhang Peng (left); Scenes from the Academic Symposium (center, right)