Amid Shanghai's glittering skyline, a poignant exhibition at the China Art Museum reveals how artists weaponized creativity during one of history's darkest chapters. 'Carving History – Shanghai and the New Woodcut Narratives of the War of Resistance (1931–1949)' marks 80 years since China's victory in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression through 200+ stark black-and-white prints.
The display resurrects 1930s Shanghai's unique role as a crucible of resistance – where traditional woodblock printing, refined over centuries, became a modern propaganda tool. 'These works were China's social media,' explains curator Li Wei. 'Artists like Li Hua and Jiang Feng created viral images before the concept existed, circulating anti-fascist messages through underground networks.'
Central to the movement was writer Lu Xun, who transformed the ancient craft into what he called 'daggers thrown at the enemy's heart.' The exhibition showcases rare first editions of his illustrated books, demonstrating how simplified visual language mobilized public sentiment. One 1935 print depicts a peasant's calloused hand gripping a rifle – an enduring symbol of grassroots resistance.
Beyond historical significance, the show raises contemporary questions about art's role in crisis. As visitors examine prints documenting refugee flights and battlefield sacrifices, parallels emerge with modern conflict reporting. The museum has extended hours through September to accommodate international scholars and diaspora groups reconnecting with this visceral chapter in China's cultural history.
