At 10:30 am on September 18, an art exhibition entitled Forever Engraved: Exhibition of Woodcut Art Depicting the Historical Memory of the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression opened at the Memorial Hall Temporary Exhibition Hall 3.

Woodcut art is an important part of Chinese art. During China’s whole-nation resistance war against Japanese aggression, this art form played a unique role in promoting a national spirit and spurring the Chinese people to defend against foreign invasion.

For the first time, the woodcut art exhibition collected works from the National Art Museum of China, Jiangsu Art Museum, Jinling Art Museum, and Memorial Hall. The exhibition showcases the works created by China’s first generation of woodcut artists in the 1930s and 1940s and modern woodcut art creators. Among them are Li Hua, Wang Qi, Gu Yuan, Yan Han, and Li Qun. During wartime when supplies were scarce, these artists with righteous enthusiasm used their carving knife as the weapon, writing their great love to their country, their nation as well as their strong hatred towards invaders on rough wood boards. At the same time, they instilled in their works a courageous spirit of perseverance and a belief that China will eventually win. Through the art they created with their lives, we can feel the great passion that always burns in the heart of Chinese people.

Roar, China! (By Li Hua)

The Weeping Mother (By Yuan Qinglu)

The exhibition will highlight woodcut pictures of 61 registered Nanjing Massacre survivors who were still alive by the end of 2021. Their portraits were engraved into undulating squares and arranged irregularly, in an untraditional and out-of-order way that best displays the hopelessness and sorrow of the victims. Named Survivors’ Imprints, the printmaking project consisted of valuable works that 31 artists from across China completed in a race against time. They are a collection at the Memorial Hall.

“Art is a way to depict history and a witness to the development trajectory of humanity. We want to use new ways to spatially construct narratives by integrating art and history. That’s why we staged this exhibition that is full of both historical truth and artistic warmth. I believe every visitor will gain inspiration and strength from it. And I believe this ray of light cast by art can encourage the public to develop a right outlook on history and gather strength for cherishing peace and creating a better future,” said Zhou Feng, director of the Memorial Hall.

During a visit to the Memorial Hall, Ms. Xue and Ms. Zuo stood in front of the portraits of Nanjing Massacre survivors for a long time. “After visiting the Nanjing Massacre Exhibit and the woodcut art exhibition, we have a feeling that the people will not be bullied and humiliated only when our nation is strong and prosperous. This holds true at all times. I feel very sad for our compatriots who died during the Nanjing Massacre. Look at the faces of these survivors. They experienced the hardships of life and their faces are full of wrinkles. They are telling us that we must bear in mind the humiliating history, cherish the hard-won peace, and work hard to make our country stronger and more prosperous,” said Ms. Xue.

The exhibition will run through January 1, 2024.