2025 - Exhibit at China Design Museum

The “Eastern Phidias: Rediscovering Liu Jipiao Design” Art Exhibition is on display at China Design Museum of China Academy of Art December 31, 2024, to April 13, 2025.

As the first solo exhibition of Liu Jipiao, it features over 400 exhibits, including numerous precious original works, many of which are being unveiled for the first time. Co-curated by Chinese and French teams, the exhibition commemorates the centenary of the Art Deco movement.

Liu Jipiao was a pioneer in design, architecture, and curation in early 20th-century China. Chinese art educator and critic Lin Wenzheng described him as the “Eastern Phidias.” Liu served as the chief designer of the China Pavilion at the 1925 Paris International Decorative Arts and Modern Industry Exposition. In 1928, he co-founded China’s first national higher art institution, National Academy of Art (now #CAA), where he headed the Pattern Department (now the Discipline of Design) and led the redesign of the Luoyuan Campus. As a pinnacle of modern expositions, Liu Jipiao served as the chief designer of the First West Lake Exposition in 1929, marking a milestone in Chinese modern design history.

The exhibition traces Liu Jipiao’s artistic journey through six sections, spotlighting his creations in three significant exhibitions in France and China. It illustrates the evolution of his artistic identity and creative ideas, showcasing his explorations and achievements. The exhibition explores the resonance between modern design in China and France, comparing Liu’s design philosophy with mainstream trends in modern Chinese design to highlight his unique contributions to design history.