Zhu Danian, Master Between Art and Nature

Zhu Danian was one of the leading figures who shaped the course of 20th-century Chinese art, helping to define the identity of the Central Academy of Arts and Crafts, now the Academy of Arts & Design at Tsinghua University. A pioneer of heavy-color painting, modern ceramics, and mural art, he combined aesthetic research with educational commitment, training generations of artists and building a teaching system that influenced the development of decorative arts in China. A new exhibition pays tribute to his legacy with a selection of works from the museum’s collection, including the rare preparatory manuscripts for Ode to the Forest and Song of the Soaring Kite. Instead of following a traditional chronological path, the show offers an immersive experience guided by the concept of an “audiovisual poetics of nature.” The result is a narrative that weaves together philosophy and visual beauty, inviting visitors to rediscover the profound bond between art, life, and the natural world.