Cao Zhen caozhen0806@126.com THE newly opened “Establishing New Fine Arts” exhibition at the He Xiangning Art Museum invites visitors to trace how fresh artistic ideas took shape and flourished amid the changing tides of the era. Featuring 127 original works and dozens of historical documents by masters such as Gao Jianfu, Chen Shuren, Li Xiongcai, and Zhao Shao’ang, the exhibition explores the transformation of the Guangdong-Hong Kong art scene in the early 20th century. It examines the rise of new traditional Chinese painting, new Western painting, the New Woodcut Movement, and new realism, showing how modern Chinese art evolved in step with a shifting society. Notably, the exhibition uses major art institutions and groups of the time as its main thread, including the Chunshui Painting Academy (founded by painting master Gao Jianfu in Guangzhou in 1923), the Chishe Art Research Society (set up by a group of overseas-trained artists in Guangzhou in 1921), the Guangzhou Modern Woodcut Society (launched by Li Hua, a teacher at Guangzhou Fine Art School, together with 27 students in 1934), and the Renjian Art Association (founded by artists in Hong Kong in 1946). The artists of that time gradually understood that art was not only about color, form, line, or composition; and Chinese art needed to engage with reality — moving from individual expression to broader concerns with people and social reflection. Cai Xianliang, director of the He Xiangning Art Museum, noted that Lingnan art, known for its regional character and reforming spirit, carries openness and innovation alongside an international outlook. “Art history is not a static relic,” he said. “It is a constantly flowing narrative that requires ongoing research and exploration. Through thematic and case-study research in art history, the He Xiangning Art Museum seeks to explore the diversity of art and culture in southern China.” A blend of scholarly depth and vibrant installations at the exhibition — featuring acrylic, steel, wood, neon, and bamboo — helps serious art history feel accessible to everyone. Dates: Through Sept. 6 Venue: He Xiangning Art Museum, Nanshan District (何香凝美术馆) Metro: Line 1 to OCT Station (华侨城站), Exit C | 