Memories of a Century: He Youzhi Art Exhibition

Text by Weng Fangning

Jiuhuatang Painting Store, 32.5cm x 29.5cm, 2013

Early Jie’erjing Sichuan Restaurant, 32.5cm x 29.5cm, 2013

Laozhengxing Restaurant on Fotuo Street, 32.5cm x 29.5cm, 2013

Comic strips were popular cultural entertainment for Chinese people in the 20th Century, leaving common memories in their wake. From December 22, 2015, to February 28, 2016, Zhejiang Art Museum in southern China is welcoming visitors to “Tracing the Good Old Days,” an exhibition of comic strips by He Youzhi, 95-year-old Chinese master artist.

On display are He’s works from 2013, depicting his youth through middle age in Shanghai, preserved in his superb memory and unique style of linear drawing, known as “He’s”. On April 9, 2014, Mr. He donated 54 pieces of his original work alongside their drafts and scripts, as well as videos of his artistic creation, publications, and derivative material objects, to Zhejiang Art Museum.

The 54 works on display incisively and vividly present life in old Shanghai across a turbulent century, through images of wharfs, European-style houses, and private Chinese banks as well as time-honored snack and pastry vendors and shops, such as Lu Genrong's Cooking, Lesser Changzhou Ribs Rice Cakes, and Mahe’s Beef Noodles. His depictions of street shows and shadow plays lead viewers through his childhood.

He Youzhi was born in Shanghai on November 21, 1922. As a leading Chinese authority on comic strips, he has remained committed to the creation of picture-stories for over half a century, leaving remarkable contributions to the development of Chinese comic strips along with over 100 books. His Great Changes in the Mountain Village has been hailed as a “milestone masterpiece in Chinese comic strip history.”

“He’s work is funny and frank,” remarks Chen Wei, director of the Book Reservation Department of Zhejiang Art Museum. “His books are of tremendous artistic value, preserving an era of China.”