Exhibition period: September 18, 2012- November 30, 2012

Exhibition location: Guan Shan Yue Exhibition Hall on the 2nd floor of Guan Shan Yue Art Museum

Organizer: Guanshan Yue Art Museum

Dunhuang Grottoes art is the "holy land" in the minds of modern Chinese artists - the discovery of Dunhuang has provided vivid and meaningful experience for the development of Chinese art history and the exploration of art language in the 20th century. Starting from the 1940s, he began his pilgrimage to Dunhuang and sought inspiration from the ancient and constantly new art of Dunhuang grottoes, which has become a sacred duty that all Chinese artists are willing to fulfill. Mr. Guan Shanyue's Dunhuang paintings are a typical case of this significance.

 In 1943, Mr. Guan Shanyue, along with his wife Li Xiaoping, Zhao Wangyun, and Zhang Zhenduo, went to Dunhuang for inspection along the Hexi Corridor. In the extremely difficult environment at that time, Mr. Guan Shanyue conducted in-depth research on this art treasure trove of the Chinese nation. For over a month, with the help of his wife and son holding candles, he copied nearly a hundred Dunhuang murals. Today, when we re appreciate these weathered works, we will find that these temporary works are not simply copies, but rather, while retaining the spirit of the original work, through analysis and research, and integrating the author's understanding and recognition of these artistic treasures. It is through the copying of Dunhuang murals that Mr. Guan Shanyue not only gained a deep understanding of this magnificent ancient art palace, but also found an art university that deeply embodies the soul of the nation.

 The visit to Dunhuang had a profound impact on Mr. Guan Shanyue's innovative practice of Chinese painting, especially during his 1947 trip to Southeast Asia. While traveling abroad, Mr. Guan Shanyue created a series of works, in which he combined the expressive techniques of Dunhuang art with the feelings of real life, and made meaningful explorations in painting language and form expression.

 On the occasion of the "Abundant Splendor - Dunhuang Art Exhibition" being held in our museum, we have selected 28 temporary paintings of Mr. Guan Shanyue from the 1940s in Dunhuang for exhibition. The aim is to study and explore the value and historical significance of Dunhuang grotto art for Guan Shanyue and even the development of 20th century Chinese art from a new perspective, in order to promote the deepening of our academic research work and provide a visual resource for audiences and scholars who are concerned about the fate of 20th century Chinese painting art.