The modern and contemporary paintings held by the Tsinghua University Art Museum are treasured works that have been carefully preserved over time, forming a vital part of the institution’s collection. This exhibition brings together a thoughtful selection of these pieces, offering an overview of major regional schools such as the Beijing–Tianjin, Lingnan, and Shanghai traditions, while also highlighting pioneering practices that bridge Chinese and Western artistic languages.

Through this dialogue between tradition and innovation, the exhibition traces the emergence of a new artistic spirit shaped by cultural exchange and historical transformation. The works on view reflect the commitment of earlier masters who, through both teaching and artistic practice, safeguarded the integrity of Chinese art while expanding its expressive possibilities in response to a changing world.

Revisiting more than a century of artistic heritage, the exhibition invites viewers to engage closely with the visual and cultural codes embedded in each brushstroke and colour. In the interplay between form, history, and personal expression, these paintings resonate with the enduring vitality of Chinese art, offering a moment of reflection on its past, present, and continuing relevance.