CAFA Art Museum unveiled “Interflowing Artscapes: CAFAM International Exchange Research Exhibition from the Collection” on July 18, 2025 in Beijing. A total of 244 (sets) works by over 133 international artists selected from the Collection of CAFAM are open to the public for the first time. The exhibition project was selected as one of 2025 National Exhibition Season of Art Museums’ Brilliant Collections Organized by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

Exhibition View of “Interflowing Artscapes”

This exhibition marks the first time in the history of the CAFA Art Museum that it has systematically sorted out and publicly displayed its international art collection. It is an important project for the CAFA Art Museum to continue to explore the academic value of its collection, expand its academic horizons, promote the high-quality utilization of its collection.

Jin Jun, Director of CAFA Art Museum delivered a speech.

Jin Jun, Director of CAFA Art Museum, stated in his speech that, each work included in this exhibition carries the unique memory and artistic value of the era. They jointly outline the international art contour from the perspective of the collection system at the CAFA Art Museum while vividly reflecting the profound historical achievements accumulated by the Central Academy of Fine Arts.

Shao Yiyang, Deputy Dean of the School of Humanities, delivered a speech.

Shao Yiyang, Deputy Dean of the School of Humanities at the Central Academy of Fine Arts, said that these exhibits did not only string the international exchange process of the CAFA Art Museum, but they also reflect the profound influence of CAFAM collection on the development of Chinese art in different periods. Just like the wisdom of “Stones from other hills may serve to polish jade”, international exhibitions allow us to reflect on ourselves through a global vision and promote future artistic progress. This is a successful exhibition of great academic value.

Dr. Hu Xiaolan, Project Director of the Curatorial Research Department of CAFA Art Museum

Dr. Hu Xiaolan, Project Director of the Curatorial Research Department of CAFA Art Museum, as a representative of the curatorial team, said that the attitude of openness, inclusiveness and acceptance is consistent with the vision and pattern of the CAFA Art Museum to build an international collection system. It is hoped that the exhibition will trigger more academic discussion and revitalize the research of the CAFAM Collection.

The opening ceremony was hosted by Gao Gao, Deputy Director of CAFA Art Museum.

View of the Opening Ceremony

The Group Photo of Opening Ceremony

From 19th-century European oil paintings to contemporary art: spanning three centuries and five continents, these works from the international art collection converge here and now, engaging with us in the present.

The CAFA Art Museum’s international collection began in the 1930s, with the Chiyoji Yazaki Collection and the European oil paintings from the former Beiping Research Institute forming its foundational pillars. Starting in the 1950s, the Academy systematically acquired works from Europe and the Soviet Union as part of establishing its exhibition galleries, supplemented by donations from faculty and international artists. This period saw the collection take shape. Treasures acquired include significant works donated by embassies in China and international friends, such as pieces by Soviet artist Nikolai Kravchenko and Japanese artist Matazo Kayama.

A new chapter commenced in 2008 with the inauguration of the Arata Isozaki-designed museum building. Major contemporary works entered the collection through donations from collectors, institutions, and embassies. These include conceptual art by German artist Joseph Beuys and Japanese-American artist Yoko Ono; paintings by Irish artist Sean Scully and Korean artist Ha Dong Chui; sculptures by Danish artist Bjørn Nørgaard; video works by Swiss artist Roman Signer; photography by French artists Agnès Varda and Marc Riboud; and works by other internationally renowned artists like German A.R. Penck and Chilean José Venturelli. Together, they weave a rich tapestry of international artistic connections.

Installation View of “Interflowing Artscapes”

The exhibition is structured around two complementary units:

GLOBAL ARTISTIC RESONANCE: This unit organizes the collection through the lens of cultural diversity, highlighting the museum collection system's international perspective and pluralistic character.

CHINA REFRACTED VISIONS: This unit presents works created in and about China by four foreign artists as representative case studies, offering visions of China through an external lens.

“Viewing the World” and “Seeing China”: These two units—inside out and outside in—establish a bidirectional cultural gaze and dialogue. They explore the fluid movement of art across borders, striving to reveal the deeper significance of cultural exchange and mutual learning. Like the dynamic interplay of forces in Tai Chi, they reflect the ever-evolving, living panorama of world art.

Highlights of the Exhibition:

Head of a Woman, Gustave Courbet, 19th century, 46×38cm, Oil on canvas, CAFAM Collection

Mural Manuscript of Palais Garnier,  Paris, Isidore Alexandre Augustin Pils, 19th century, 80×154cm，Oil on canvas, CAFAM Collection

Self-portrait，Kathe Kollwitz, 1924, 24×33cm, Monochrome woodcut, CAFAM Collection

Meridian Gate (Wu Men), Beiping   C. Yazaki  20th century,  23.7×31cm, Pastel on Paper, CAFAM Collection

Beijing No.2, Agnès Varda, 1957, 120×80cm, Archival-grade pigment print, CAFAM Collection

Flower, Washington DC, USA, Marc Riboud, 1967, 50×60cm, Gelatin silver print, CAFAM Collection

One of the Basalt Stones from  7000 Oaks, Joseph Beuys, 1982, 40×40cm×140cm  Basalt stone, CAFAM Collection

A Gatherer, José Venturelli, 1982, 98x68cm, Acrylic on canvas, CAFAM Collection

ZO, Masayaki Kurokawa, 2010, 45×49×81cm, Mixed Materials, CAFAM Collection

Joseph Beuys, Shigeo Anzai, 1984, 90.3×111.7cm, Archival-grade Pigment Print, CAFAM Collection

White Horse, Kayama Matazō, 1985，49×46.5cm, Colour Woodcut, CAFAM Collection

Female Nude, Андрей Андреевич Мыльников, 1980, 53×63cm, Oil on canvas, CAFAM Collection

Conditions of Departure, A. R. Penck, 1980s, 159×119cm, Acrylic on canvas, CAFAM Collection

Start, Roman Signer, 2014, 1'42'',  Video, CAFAM Collection

Weeping Song, Sean Scully, 2015, 215.9×190.5cm, Oil on aluminum, CAFAM Collection

Weeping Song, Sean Scully, 2015, 215.9×190.5cm, Oil on aluminum, CAFAM Collection

The Garden of Forking Paths, Marc Quinn, 2019, 220×120cm, Bronze, CAFAM Collection

A special section was set in this exhibition to review the international art exhibitions and projects organized by the CAFA Art Museum since the completion of the new museum in 2008. It explores the profound relationship between Chinese art museums and global art in the new era through the display of books, posters and maps.

Installation View of “Interflowing Artscapes”

The exhibition remains on view at Galleries 3A & 3B, CAFAM till August 24, 2025. 

Courtesy of CAFA Art Museum, edited by Sue/CAFA ART INFO

About the Exhibition

2025 National Exhibition Season of Art Museums' Brilliant Collections Organized by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism

Interflowing Artscapes: CAFAM International Exchange Research Exhibition from the Collection

Organizer: CAFA Art Museum

Duration: July 18 - August 24, 2025

Venue: 3A & 3B Gallery, CAFA Art Museum

Art Directors: Jin Jun, Han Wenchao  

Exhibition Planning: Gao Gao, Hai Jun

Curators:  Hu Xiaolan, Li Yaochen

Curatorial Assistant:  Wang Jiayan

Exhibition Coordinators:  Liu Xiyan, Yi Yue, Wang Jing

Design Director: Ji Yujie

Design Assistants: Min Zhiyi, Sun Tong, Liu Lunxi, Li Siying, Liu Shuofei, Zhu Chonglin

Installation Management:  Xiu Shicun, Jing Peng, Lv Zhifa, Chen Yu

Collection Management: Li Yaochen, Xu Yan, Wang Chunling, Ma Liang, Cui Ranran, Dou Tianwei, Li Wei, Mei Qi, Jiang Nan  

Media Team: He Yisha, Wu Jing, He Yifei, Du Yinzhu, Ding Yi, Lu Baiyun, Zhu Jingyi, Wang Yifan

Public Education: Xiao Baozhen, Geng Jinghua, Wang Jun, Yao Yiqun, Liang Wen, Xi Huawei  

Financial Affairs: Yang Liu, Men Jing

Development and Marketing:  Sun Wei, Yi Yi, Jin Jianru, Kou Lei, Liu Xingling

Administrative Support: Jiang Siyu, Yue Junyao, Zhang Qian, Guo Xu, Chen Xiaohua

Exhibition Assistants: Li Ze  Luo Fenglin  Du Liangliang  Hou Chuchu  Dong Manqian  Zhang Hanxiang  Wu Ruixuan

Acknowledgments:

School of Humanities, Central Academy of Fine Arts

Office of International Cooperation and Exchange, Central Academy of Fine Arts

Publicity Department of the CPC Committee, Central Academy of Fine Arts

The Library, Central Academy of Fine Arts

Article Source：https://www.cafa.com.cn/en/news/details/8332789