Exhibiting the big little world of Qi Baishi

The most popular motifs in the work of Qi Baishi are small, everyday creatures like shrimp, baby chicks, and little fishes, which he rendered using minimal strokes, capturing on paper their carefree lives.

Small Fish Cares, a new exhibition at the Art Museum of the Beijing Fine Art Academy, focuses on the lively world created by Qi, which continues to resonate with contemporary viewers of his art.

This includes the three students from the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing and the Luxun Academy of Fine Arts in Shenyang, Liaoning province, who are the curators of the exhibition.

The trio have introduced animation and installations to allow visitors to appreciate Qi's perspective of the natural world in his garden, as well as that of the fishes in his pond. The result creates a moment of relaxation from the hustle and bustle of city life.

The three young curators teamed up earlier this year and presented their plan at the Third Global College Student Competition and Curating Virtual Exhibitions 2024.

The competition's goal is to encourage students to present virtual exhibition ideas or mount exhibitions that incorporate virtual perspectives.

The plan was given an award and has now been turned into a reality with the help of the Beijing Fine Art Academy, which is home to an extensive collection of Qi's work.