The exhibition was sponsored by ZJAM, Tongxiang Municipal People’s Government, Xiling Society of Seal Arts (XSSA), and Feng Zikai Research Center in Huangpu District of Shanghai, undertaken by the Propaganda Department of the CPC Tongxiang Municipal Committee, the Cultural, Broadcasting, and News Bureau of Tongxiang City, and Tongxiang Federation of Literary and Art Circles, and organized by Feng Zikai International Cultural Association, the Memorial Hall of Takehisa Yumeji in Ikaho in Japan, the Master Hongyi and Feng Zikai Research Institute of Hangzhou Normal University, Feng Zikai Memorial Hall of Tongxiang City, Exhibition Hall of the Old Residence of Feng Zikai in Shanghai, Tongxiang Museum, Juntao Art Institute of Tongxiang City, Feng Zikai Research Institute of Tongxiang City, and Hangzhou Zikai Culture and Art Co., Ltd.

At the opening ceremony

The exhibition features nearly 200 pieces of Feng Zikai’s comic works, manuscripts, and literature materials, as well as works of his teachers and friends. The exhibition is divided into three parts of “Art in Utensils”, “A Life of Art”, and “Water-like New Moon” to reflect the heritage of Feng Zikai, his art life as a writer, painter, decoration designer, music educator and translator, and his “circle of friends”.

Officials and guests attending the opening ceremony included: Kaneco Shiokawa, chairwoman of the Memorial Hall of Takehisa Yumeji in Ikaho in Japan; Koji Nagai, special representative of the Governor Masaaki Osawa of Gunma Prefecture, chief representative and director of the Gunma Office in Shanghai; Chen Zhenlian, vice chairman of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles, vice chairman of the China Calligraphers Association, vice chairman of the Zhejiang Federation of Literary and Art Circles, and vice president of the XSSA; Mao Zhaoxi, a former member of the Standing Committee of the 9th National People’s Congress, former deputy director of the Standing Committee of Zhejiang Provincial People’s Progress, and professor of Zhejiang University; Zhong Guisong, head of Zhejiang TV Station, former director of Zhejiang Provincial Press and Publication Bureau, and former director of the Cultural, Health, and Sports Committee of the CPPCC of Zhejiang Province; Jin Zhiqiang, executive deputy director of the United Front Work Department of Hangzhou Municipal Government; Wang Liming, director of the Culture and History Committee of the CPPCC of Hangzhou Municipal Government; Wu Chiying, director of the Working Committee of the CPPCC of Hangzhou Municipal Government; Zheng Guilan, deputy secretary of the Party Committee and the editor-in-chief of the Editorial Board of Hangzhou Cultural and Broadcasting Group; Pang Jinlei,   inspector of the CPPCC Office and secretary of the Party Committee of Hangzhou Municipal Government; Wang Chuankai, counselor of the Zhejiang Provincial Government; Shen Tumin, deputy secretary general of the CPPCC of Hangzhou Municipal Government and full-time deputy director of the China Democratic League of Hangzhou Party Committee; Wang Ying, deputy director of the Culture and History Committee of the CPPCC of Hangzhou Municipal Government; Lu Shirong, deputy head of the Discipline Inspection Group of the CPPCC of Hangzhou Municipal Government; Deputy Directors Tang Wensheng and Lu Yuanfeng of the General Office of the CPPCC of Hangzhou Municipal Government; Feng Yi, deputy director of the Committee of Education, Science, Culture, Health and Sports of the CPPCC of Hangzhou Municipal Government; Song Chuanshui, president of the Hangzhou Calligraphy Academy and an official of the Tongxiang Municipal Government; Pan Minfang, a member of the Standing Committee and director of the Propaganda Department of the CPC Tongxiang Municipal Committee; Lin Xiangrong, a member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Tongxiang Municipal Committee and deputy mayor of the Tongxiang Municipal People’s Government; Fei Yulin, deputy director of the Standing Committee of Tongxiang Municipal People’s Congress; Chen Ying, vice chairman of the CPPCC of Tongxiang Municipal Government; Chen Xing, professor and director of the Master Hongyi and Feng Zikai Research Institute of Hangzhou Normal University; Gu Xiangsen, director of the XSSA.

Some of Mr. Feng Zikai’s relatives were present at the opening ceremony: his grandchildren Feng Yu, Feng Lixing, Song Xuejun, Yang Ziyun, Yang Chaoying, Cui Dongming, Feng Huawen, and Feng Liyun. The curators were Wang Yizhu and Wan Xinhua. The opening ceremony was hosted by Ying Jinfei, executive deputy curator of ZJAM.

Pan Minfang, a member of the Standing Committee and director of the Propaganda Department of the CPC Tongxiang Municipal Committee, delivered a speech. Tongxiang has a long history and profound cultural heritage. Since ancient times, many famous people and masters have emerged from this place, particularly including Feng Zikai, who is an outstanding artist with many artistic achievements. He is called “the most artistic artist in modern China.” His paintings combine Chinese and Western styles, look simple, deal with fresh subjects, and convey subtle artistic conception. This exhibition is held not only to better introduce his art world, but more importantly to reflect his noble personality. Although this master is gone, the spiritual wealth left by him will nourish and nurture many later generations.

Pan Minfang, a member of the Standing Committee and director of the Propaganda Department of the CPC Tongxiang Municipal Committee, delivering a speech

Kaneco Shiokawa, chairwoman of the Memorial Hall of Takehisa Yumeji in Ikaho in Japan, delivered a speech. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Treaty of Sino-Japan Friendship and Cooperation and the 120th anniversary of the birth of Mr. Feng Zikai. Feng Zikai and Takehisa Yumeji had a lot in common in art. For example, they both tended to ponder on life and love from trivial things in daily life and explained profound message with simple strokes. Although they two never met, their works are now displayed simultaneously across time and space, making this exhibition very memorable.

Kaneco Shiokawa, chairwoman of the Memorial Hall of Takehisa Yumeji in Ikaho in Japan, delivering a speech

Mr. Koji Nagai, special representative of the Governor Masaaki Osawa of Gunma Prefecture, chief representative and director of the Gunma Office in Shanghai, delivered a speech. The grand exhibitions of paintings by Feng Zikai and Takehisa Yumeji were held. Takehisa Yumeji liked the natural scenery of Gunma Prefecture very much and it became a frequent subject in his works. The exhibition features 52 of his paintings, and Mr. Koji Nagai hoped that it could provide a chance for art exchange between the two countries. He also expressed his thanks to the Chinese side and the Japanese side for their devotion to this exhibition and wished it a success. He finally said that he expected the friendship between China and Japan would be further promoted in the future.

Mr. Koji Nagai, special representative of the Governor Masaaki Osawa of Gunma Prefecture, chief representative and director of the Gunma Office in Shanghai, delivering a speech

Song Xuejun, Feng Zikai’s grandson, delivered a speech. Feng Zikai once said that Hangzhou was his second hometown. In the spring of 1973, he had a chance to travel and he chose Hangzhou as destination, which was the last time that he had been to Hangzhou. The West Lake that he dreamed day and night, as well as some of his relatives and his deceased teacher, was here. The organizers were devoted to this exhibition in Hangzhou, and everyone present felt as if Feng Zikai had finally come back to Hangzhou.

Song Xuejun, Feng Zikai’s grandson, delivering a speech

Chen Zhenlian, vice chairman of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles, vice chairman of the China Calligraphers Association, vice chairman of the Zhejiang Federation of Literary and Art Circles, and vice president of the XSSA, delivered a speech. He said that we jointly celebrated the 120th anniversary of Mr. Feng Zikai at ZJAM in this golden autumn. Feng Zikai resided in Hangzhou several times and had been bathed in the West Lake that was “as flat and long as a mirror and most beautiful in autumn” (“万顷湖平长似镜、四时月好最宜秋”) for a long time. This experience allowed him to keep childlike innocence and love of mankind. His works reflect real life, sharp thinking, and profound artistic conception. Most of his subject matters were from the West Lake. He once wrote in his prose named “Night Drink by the West Lake” (《湖畔夜饮》), “I was intoxicated by the wind and the moon in the West Lake.” May this artistic pioneer and great writer who inspires the wisdom of people and spreads kindness and love live in our heart forever! Finally, Chen Zhenlian announced the opening of the exhibition.

Chen Zhenlian, vice chairman of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles, vice chairman of the China Calligraphers Association, vice chairman of the Zhejiang Federation of Literary and Art Circles, and vice president of the XSSA, delivering a speech

The opening ceremony was hosted by Ying Jinfei, executive deputy curator of ZJAM.

A group photo of the officials and guests

After the opening ceremony, the curator Wang Yizhu and Feng Zikai’s grandson Song Xuejun served as guides for the visitors to tour around the exhibition.

Feng Zikai was an outstanding master in the cultural and art history of modern China. He was born in Tongxiang, Zhejiang, in 1898. He was formerly known as Feng Run, nicknamed Ren, and later renamed Zi Kai. His pen name was TK. In his early years, he studied music and painting from Li Shutong and Chinese from Xia Mianzun. Feng Zikai had always been committed to artistic creation and Chinese art education, and made unique contributions to the development of Chinese fine arts and humanity history. He demonstrated a unique artistic style, and particularly the realistic and critical spirit embodied in his works of art carried extremely high artistic value and social value. Many of his works are closely related to daily life. In particular, his comic works, which are close to reality and full of joy of life, are deeply loved by the Chinese people and leave a deep mark in the growth of generations of Chinese. Feng Zikai also made remarkable achievements in the fields of calligraphy, prose and translation. His brushstrokes are vivid and charming, simple and bright. His storytelling is vivid and explores life and worldly human relations in a subtle way. His works are praised as “falling petals with human touch.”