2024 Exhibition Diary Part Two: Must-See Art Exhibitions in Shanghai and Suzhou

Meta Description: Explore the best 2024 art exhibitions in Shanghai and Suzhou, from He Muqun's centennial retrospective to Assyrian treasures at Suzhou Museum. Your ultimate guide to Chinese art, culture, and history awaits.

Introduction: The Art of Partings and Reunions

Life is an unfinished poem, and travel is a flowing song. In the autumn of 2024, I embarked on a solo journey through the major exhibition halls of Shanghai and Suzhou—measuring the boundaries of art with my steps and touching the warmth of history with my soul. Chiung Yao's novel Partings and Reunions perfectly captures life's norm: the interweaving of joy and sorrow between meetings and farewells. Over thirty years ago, I would queue in the freezing pre-dawn hours to buy a train ticket home, my heart burning with anticipation. Today, I'm still on the move, only now my destinations are art museums and galleries. Smile at life, cherish the present—this is my exhibition-going philosophy.

This 2024 exhibition diary brings you the most compelling art exhibitions in Shanghai and Suzhou, blending Chinese-French artistic dialogue, abstract oil paintings, literary history, and ancient Mesopotamian treasures. Whether you're a seasoned art lover or a curious traveler, these exhibitions offer unforgettable cultural experiences.

Discovering He Muqun: A Century-Spanning Artistic Dialogue

Date: September 11, 2024 | Venue: China Art Palace (Shanghai Art Museum)

2024 marks the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and France, as well as the 100th anniversary of the birth of the distinguished Chinese-French artist He Muqun. From September 10 to November 10, the "Discovering He Muqun" exhibition, hosted by the China Art Palace and supported by the Liu Haisu Art Museum, grandly opened.

This exhibition is not only a fresh interpretation of He Muqun's artistic career but also a heartfelt tribute to Sino-French cultural exchange. On opening day, He Muqun's family donated two precious works from her "Flowers and Trees" series to the museum—their fifth major donation to the China Art Palace.

What Makes This Exhibition Special?

The exhibition systematically presents representative works from different periods of He Muqun's career, fully exploring her artistic achievements and academic value. The most delightful surprise was the debut of several rare masterpieces never before shown to the public, making this the most comprehensive solo exhibition of He Muqun in Shanghai in recent years. Standing before her paintings, I could almost feel the perfect fusion of Eastern yijing (artistic conception) and Western technique hidden within her still lifes and figures.

Why visit: If you appreciate cross-cultural art and the legacy of Chinese-French artists, this exhibition is a must-see in your 2024 Shanghai art exhibition itinerary.

Cheng Qiang's Abstract Oil Painting Exhibition: The Great Form Is Formless

Date: September 11, 2024 | Venue: China Art Palace

On the same day, I also visited "The Great Form Is Formless, Splendor Shines Bright—Cheng Qiang's Abstract Oil Painting Exhibition." Held from September 7 to 14, the exhibition featured over 80 abstract oil paintings by Cheng Qiang, chairman of the Yixing Artists Association and curator of the Wu Guanzhong Art Museum.

Cheng's works are bold in color and daring in composition, freely moving between abstraction and figuration. Those seemingly casual brushstrokes actually contain profound reflections on nature and life. For fans of abstract art in China, this exhibition offers a rare glimpse into contemporary artistic expression.

Pro tip: Pair this visit with the He Muqun exhibition for a day of diverse artistic experiences at the China Art Palace.

When Stars Shine: Petőfi and the Symphony of an Era

Date: September 14, 2024 | Venue: China Modern and Contemporary News Publishing Museum

"Life is dear, love is dearer, but for the sake of freedom, both can be given up." This poem by Sándor Petőfi is almost universally known in China. From August 1 to November 30, "When Stars Shine: Petőfi and His Era" was on display at the China Modern and Contemporary News Publishing Museum.

Exhibition Highlights

The exhibition was jointly organized by the museum and the Beijing Lu Xun Museum, in deep collaboration with the Budapest History Museum and the Petőfi Literary Museum in Hungary. Exhibits included:

Multiple precious manuscripts of Petőfi's works, including the "National Song"
Portraits, bronze statues, and items from his daily life
Clothing and a first edition of the Complete Poems of Petőfi
Many artifacts left Hungary for the first time, meeting Chinese audiences for the very first time

With "interweaving, fusion, and intersection" as its core design concept, the exhibition used innovative display methods to present the legendary life of this 19th-century Hungarian poet and his profound influence on Chinese left-wing writers. Standing there, I could almost hear the resonance of Chinese and Western literary circles across time and space.

Why visit: This is a unique opportunity to explore Hungarian-Chinese literary connections and see rare artifacts from European museums.

My Path: A Retrospective of Zhang Diping's Art

Date: September 21, 2024 | Venue: Cheng Shifa Art Museum

From September 6 to October 7, the "Shanghai Masters Research Series" presented "My Path: A Retrospective of Zhang Diping's Art" at the Cheng Shifa Art Museum. Co-hosted by the Shanghai Chinese Painting Academy and the Shanghai Artists Association, the exhibition showcased over 150 works spanning more than 60 years of Zhang's creative career, covering Chinese painting in the genres of figures, flowers and birds, and landscapes.

Exhibition Sections

The exhibition was divided into three sections: 1. "New Language of Flowers and Birds" – Exploring modern interpretations of traditional themes 2. "The World of Ink and Brush" – Showcasing mastery of ink painting techniques 3. "Empathy with Nature" – Connecting art with the natural world

Her paintings possess both the charm of traditional ink and the interest of modern aesthetics. Between those flowers, birds, and landscapes lies her love for life and reverence for nature. This is a must-visit for anyone interested in Chinese ink painting and the evolution of traditional art forms.

[Link: Shanghai Chinese Painting Academy exhibitions]

Rubik's Cube: Wang Jieyin's Ink Painting Exhibition

Date: September 21, 2024 | Venue: Shanghai Chinese Painting Academy Art Museum

Ink painting has flourished in China for thousands of years, and under the impetus of contemporary art movements, this traditional art form is constantly being reinvented. From September 15 to October 13, "Rubik's Cube: Wang Jieyin's Ink Painting Exhibition" appeared at the Shanghai Chinese Painting Academy Art Museum, revealing the vibrant vitality of ink painting.

The Meaning Behind "Rubik's Cube"

The exhibition featured over 40 ink works created by Wang Jieyin since 2013, more than half of which were completed in the last two years. Regarding the exhibition title "Rubik's Cube," Wang offered three explanations:

The works are mostly square in format, and this square shape holds a magic for him
It corresponds to a series of landscape line drawings that are collaged and can be freely combined in endless variations
If viewers like his paintings, it means they too are enchanted

The exhibition showcases Wang Jieyin's diverse breakthroughs in ink painting imagery. He seamlessly integrates the structure and brushwork of Chinese painting with the casual doodling of free expression, breaking the established framework of traditional ink painting. These works are both a continuation and innovation of traditional natural concepts, as well as a deconstruction and reconstruction of artistic language—an artist's own linguistic expression based on contemporary experience and an open perspective.

Why visit: For those seeking contemporary ink painting and innovative approaches to traditional media, this exhibition is a revelation.

The King of Assyria: Ashurbanipal—Treasures from the British Museum

Date: September 22, 2024 | Venue: Suzhou Museum (West Wing)

On September 22, on a whim, I took the subway to the West Wing of the Suzhou Museum and spent a full four and a half hours visiting "The King of Assyria: Ashurbanipal—Treasures of Assyrian Artifacts from the British Museum." The exhibition runs from May 1 to August 4, 2025.

What to Expect

Structured around the famous Assyrian monarch Ashurbanipal, the exhibition presents and interprets the Assyrian Empire, which once spanned the two river valleys of West Asia and created a brilliant civilization. Most of the artifacts are on display for the first time in an international tour, including:

The most famous literary work of Mesopotamia—the series of clay tablets of the Epic of Gilgamesh
First overseas appearance of these ancient tablets
Rare Assyrian artifacts never before seen outside the British Museum

Standing before those ancient tablets, I could almost hear the poetry of four thousand years ago echoing in my ears. This is undoubtedly one of the best museum exhibitions in Suzhou for history and archaeology enthusiasts.

[Link: Suzhou Museum West Wing exhibitions]

Suzhou Craftsmanship Museum: Approaching Suzhou-Style Crafts

Date: September 22, 2024 | Venue: Suzhou Museum (West Wing), Second Floor

The Suzhou Craftsmanship Museum—what the brochure calls the "Suzhou-Style Craft Hall"—is located on the second floor of the Suzhou Museum West Wing. It comprehensively displays the long history and exquisite techniques of Suzhou-style crafts, including:

Embroidery and silk weaving
Jade carving and wood carving
Furniture making and lacquerware
Paper-cutting and lantern making

For anyone interested in Chinese traditional crafts and the cultural heritage of Suzhou, this museum is a treasure trove of knowledge and beauty.

FAQ: Planning Your 2024 Art Exhibition Tour in Shanghai and Suzhou

1. What are the must-see art exhibitions in Shanghai in 2024?

The top exhibitions include "Discovering He Muqun" at the China Art Palace (until November 10), "When Stars Shine: Petőfi and His Era" at the China Modern and Contemporary News Publishing Museum (until November 30), and "Rubik's Cube: Wang Jieyin's Ink Painting Exhibition" at the Shanghai Chinese Painting Academy Art Museum (until October 13).

2. How long should I spend at the Ashurbanipal exhibition in Suzhou?

Plan for at least 3–4 hours to fully appreciate the treasures from the British Museum. The exhibition features rare artifacts including clay tablets of the Epic of Gilgamesh, so take your time to read the descriptions and absorb the historical context.

3. Are these exhibitions suitable for families with children?

Yes! Most exhibitions are family-friendly. The Petőfi exhibition offers interactive displays, while the Suzhou Craftsmanship Museum on the second floor of Suzhou Museum West Wing is particularly engaging for children interested in hands-on crafts.

4. Can I visit multiple exhibitions in one day?

Absolutely. The China Art Palace houses both the He Muqun and Cheng Qiang exhibitions, making it easy to see both in one visit. Similarly, the Suzhou Museum West Wing contains the Ashurbanipal exhibition and the Suzhou Craftsmanship Museum on the same site.

5. Do I need to book tickets in advance?

Yes, especially for popular exhibitions like the Ashurbanipal treasures. Check official museum websites for online booking and time-slot reservations. Some exhibitions may have limited daily capacity.

Final Thoughts: Your 2024 Art Journey Awaits

From the Chinese-French artistic dialogue of He Muqun to the ancient Assyrian treasures at Suzhou Museum, the 2024 exhibition season in Shanghai and Suzhou offers something for every art lover and history enthusiast. Whether you're drawn to abstract oil paintings, traditional ink works, or literary history, these exhibitions promise unforgettable experiences.

Plan your visit today and immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of art, culture, and history. Don't forget to check museum websites for updated hours, ticket availability, and special events. Your journey through Shanghai and Suzhou art exhibitions in 2024 awaits—start exploring now!

Have you visited any of these exhibitions? Share your thoughts in the comments below, or tag us in your photos on social media. Happy exploring!