Liu Shiming was born in Tianjan in 1926 to a family of intellectuals, later moving to Beijing to attend the Central Academy of Fine Arts, where he apprenticed under well-known artists while also receiving classical training that included the study of Rodin’s ideas about modern sculpture. The major sculpture he completed for his graduation from CAFA, Measuring Land, won first prize, and was later added to the permanent collection of the Czech National Museum in Prague. In 1958 his monumental 23 foot high work, Cutting through Mountains to Bring in Water, was recognized as the spirit and image of China, finding a permanent home in Dongfeng Park in Baoding after being shown in Beijing. In the 1960’s Shiming moved to the countryside, focusing on scenes of everyday life, capturing in clay and bronze the vitality and resilience found among ordinary people. His strong belief in education is proven by his long teaching practice as well as by the many young artists he mentored during his life. He returned to the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing in 1980, teaching sculpture until retiring in 1995. He has been honored many times for his remarkable contributions to modern sculpture, and widely recognized for his unique ability to meld ancient traditions with modern sensibilities.
Liu Shiming’s work has been exhibited internationally, most notably in Beijing, Washington D.C., and New York. His recent show at The Oculus in NYC was extremely well-received, and there is an upcoming exhibition of his sculpture next month at the gallery at Queens College in New York. In 2018, the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing founded the Liu Shiming Sculpture Museum, dedicated to researching and investigating Liu’s artworks and their historical significance. It is the only museum in China dedicated to the work of an individual artist.
On Saturday, May 21 we will honor his legacy and dedication with a short panel discussion focusing on the importance of community and culture in contemporary art, featuring special guest Wei Liu, son of Shiming Liu; Linda Lees, Founder of Creative Cities; and Tadeusz Sudol, President of RIVAA, led by curator Fran Kaufman. It will be followed by a champagne reception.
The gallery is open from 11AM to 5PM Tuesday through Saturday. For press inquiries and additional information, please contact info@lsmartfund.org . A brochure on the exhibition is available. If you would like to arrange a private tour, please contact the curator at fkaufmanart@gmail.com
About the exhibition
Gallery RIVAAMay 21 – June 16, 2022
