On July 19, 2025, the Ode to Peace art exhibition opened at the National Art Museum of China. Co-hosted by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and the National Art Museum of China, the exhibition commemorates the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. For the first time, the public is able to view Ode to Peace, a monumental Chinese painting jointly created by 14 renowned masters—including Qi Baishi—from the CPAFFC's collection. Also on display are 16 other rare pieces, including Hundred Flowers and Doves of Peace by Qi Baishi, Peony and Peace by Yu Feian, and Child and Dove by Jiang Zhaohe. President Yang Wanming of the CPAFFC and Director Pan Yikui of the National Art Museum of China attended the opening ceremony and delivered remarks. Shen Xin, Vice President of the CPAFFC; Lin Mao, President of the Central Academy of Fine Arts; Ma Sai, Dean of the Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University; as well as more than a dozen prominent figures from China's art community, were present at the opening ceremony.
In his remarks, President Yang Wanming fondly recalled the touching story of how master artists such as Qi Baishi, Chen Banding, He Xiangning, and Yu Feian collaborated to create Ode to Peace for the 1955 World Peace Conference. He expressed heartfelt gratitude to artists for their longstanding support of the CPAFFC's people-to-people and cultural exchange initiatives. President Yang stated that, on this solemn occasion marking the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, the CPAFFC will host a series of peace-themed people-to-people friendship events, to call upon people from all nations and walks of life to remember history, cherish peace, and work together to uphold global peace and development, thus contributing to the building of a better future for a community with a shared future for mankind. Looking to the future, the CPAFFC will remain dedicated to acting as a bridge for international people-to-people and cultural exchanges. In collaboration with Chinese and international artists, the CPAFFC will continue using the power of art to move, inspire, and connect people, deepening mutual understanding and emotional resonance between cultures, and together painting a new chapter in people-to-people friendship through art.
Through the medium of fine art, this exhibition reflects on the legacy of war while championing the ideal of peace. It seeks to portray—through artistic expression—the spiritual vision of a community with a shared future for mankind. Nearly 80 works are featured, drawn from the collections of the two co-hosting institutions. The exhibit spans a variety of genres, including traditional Chinese painting, oil painting, sculpture, and printmaking. The works span more than a century from the war-scarred early 20th century to the dynamic present day. They represent both the tireless dedication of generations of artists and the shared human yearning for peace expressed across cultural boundaries.
This year also marks the 70th anniversary of the creation of Ode to Peace. From June 22 to 29, 1955, the World Peace Conference was held in Helsinki, Finland. In the lead-up to the event, 14 celebrated Chinese artists—including Qi Baishi, Chen Banding, He Xiangning, Yu Feian, Wang Shensheng, Li Ruiling, Ma Jin, Xu Yansun, Yang Min, Wang Xuetao, Wu Yige, Zhang Qiyi, Tian Shiguang, and Duan Lüqing—collaborated over ten days to complete the large-scale Chinese painting. Finished in May 1955, the work expressed the Chinese people's heartfelt commitment to peace and their opposition to war and aggression.
Measuring 398 centimeters in length and 201 centimeters in height, the painting features 15 doves symbolizing peace as its central motif. Seven of the doves are depicted in flight, soaring amid a profusion of colorful blossoms, pine trees, stones, and flowing water. The remaining eight doves are positioned gracefully on the ground—some resting among flowers and grass, others near rocks and streams—engaged in peaceful acts such as foraging, resting, and playing. The serene, harmonious atmosphere captures the peaceful life envisioned by those who cherish peace. The background composition incorporates a variety of seasonal flora and natural elements, adding depth and harmony to the overall visual structure. The artists employed a range of traditional Chinese techniques—including meticulous double-outline coloring, boneless washes, and expressive freehand brushwork. The painting is both richly detailed and stylistically cohesive, showcasing each artist's individual strengths while achieving a seamless unity. Its open yet disciplined composition, grand scale, and powerful presence exemplify the aesthetic ambition and profound meaning expected of a thematically significant masterpiece.
The exhibition will run through August 12, 2025.
