Big stage for Western artists

A piece shown in Beijing by German expressionist Anselm Kiefer.

September

Markus Lupertz: Freezing the Time at China Art Museum in Shanghai

The German neo-expressionist held his second solo show in China with 88 pieces, including 13 sculptures created since the 1970s. The first show was held in 2015 in Beijing. For both shows, the 75-year-old flew to China.

German artists' shows have been frequently held in China in recent years. Independent curator Hu Zhen attributes this to the artistic links between the two countries, which have both experienced wars. Artists from both countries also agree that what matters is not what one paints but how, a common theme in German expressionism and Chinese xieyi (freehand brush work) paintings.