Artists continue to be inspired by the Long March

Among the many iconic artworks of the 20th century, some depict the Long March as a spiritual monument to the country and its people. Such paintings include The Red Army Defies No Difficulties in the Expedition by Dong Xiwen; Farewell by Jin Shangyi; and Zunyi Conference by Shen Yaoyi, which show the Long March as an inexhaustible source of inspiration.

At a recent forum at the Central Academy of Fine Arts, attendees paid tribute to the Long March, which took place between 1934 and 1936, and reviewed the artistic creations depicting the arduous journey. Discussions on how to present these grand historical narratives in curated exhibitions were also held.

Long March-themed artworks have evolved over decades, from illustrations and sketches by Red Army soldiers providing a first-person perspective and history paintings laced with poetic romanticism after the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949 to a diverse range of presentations including comics, animations and digital works in recent years.