Pang Xunqin (1906–1985) was a pioneer of modern Chinese art and design, and a key founder of the Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University (formerly the Central Academy of Arts and Crafts)—the first institution of higher education for art and design in the People’s Republic of China. This exhibition brings together over 400 of Pang Xunqin’s works and archival materials, highlighting his pioneering contributions in modern painting and design, arts and crafts education, and decorative arts research, and systematically presenting his artistic life.

The exhibition offers an overview of Pang Xunqin’s multifaceted practice, bringing together works that reflect his engagement with painting, design and the decorative arts. Alongside his artistic production, the archival materials shed light on his role as an educator and researcher, revealing the breadth of his interests and his lasting influence on the development of modern art and design education in China.

By presenting such an extensive selection of works and documents together, the exhibition places Pang Xunqin’s artistic achievements within the broader context of the cultural and educational transformations of twentieth-century China. It also provides an opportunity to consider the connections between artistic creation, craft, design and teaching that shaped his career, while highlighting the significance of his contribution to the formation of new approaches to art and design in the country.