An illustrious 90 years in art

The Central Academy of Fine Arts, China's top art education institution, turns 90 this month. Founded in 1918 by renowned scholar and educator Cai Yuanpei (1868-1940), the academy "was the first national art school in China and its establishment marked the beginning of Chinese modern art education", says academy president Pan Gongkai.

Besides the Wu Zuoren exhibition, the academy is also staging various other shows, by both renowned artists and the younger generation.

"The academy has gone through a tumultuous path in recent decades," says Pan. "Generations of Chinese artists have witnessed dramatic social changes in this nation. Many of China's monumental artworks and landmarks are from the hands of teachers and students at the academy."