At the China Art Museum in Shanghai, a stirring new show bridges past and present. "Carving History Shanghai and the New Woodcut Narratives of the War of Resistance (19311949)" commemorates the 80th anniversary of Chinas victory in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the global triumph over fascism.
In the late 1920s and 1930s, Shanghai stood at the crossroads of tradition and modernity. As a buzzing cultural hub, it fueled anti-Japanese resistance through literature, theater, visual arts and public debate, forging a modern Chinese identity.
Although woodblock printing dates back to the Tang Dynasty, it was in these turbulent years that artists reclaimed the medium as a force for social change. Affordable and easy to distribute, woodcuts became the unsung heroes of grassroots education.
Leading the charge, writer and thinker Lu Xun championed woodcuts as a "peoples art," empowering communities with visual narratives of injustice. His vision helped transform quiet workshops into centers of artistic activism.
Todays exhibition gathers works by pioneering artists from the 1930s and 1940s. With stark contrasts and bold symbolism, these prints once delivered urgent updates from the front, galvanized neighborhoods and stoked the collective resolve of the Chinese people.
Whether youre an art lover, history buff or global citizen, "Carving History" invites you to witness how carved blocks and ink laid the foundation for modern protest art and why those echoes still matter in our world today.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
