A Grain of Sand in the Ocean: The Artistic Life of Liu Haisu

Author: Liu Haoli Art Museum Editorial
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-03-01
Features: Liu Haoli may be one of the most controversial Chinese artists of the 20th century, with his century-long colorful life receiving both praise and criticism. In the cultural history of 20th-century China, he was an inescapable figure, associated with cultural luminaries such as Kang Youwei, Liang Qichao, Cai Yuanpei, Guo Moruo, Xu Zhimo, Liu Yazi, Fu Lei, and Hu Shih. His life journey has been deeply intertwined with this period of history. He promoted Chinese art in Europe and collected modern Chinese works for exhibitions there. In 1934, 17 modern artworks were collected by the National Museum of Berlin from a Chinese modern art exhibition in Germany. In his later years, Liu Haoli traveled overseas, with many urging him to stay abroad. However, he ultimately chose his homeland and donated his most important and brilliant works, along with his invaluable collection, to the nation. The state built an art museum named after him, ensuring that Liu Haoli's name will once again be linked to significant artistic activities in the new century.