Collection documents pioneer artist's significant contributions

Pang Xunqin: The Complete Works made its public debut in Beijing, offering a panoramic view of the artistic creativity of Pang Xunqin (1906-85), a preeminent figure who helped pioneer modern art, art education and graphic design in China.

The eight-volume collection, published by Shandong Fine Arts Publishing House, catalogs Pang's oil paintings, watercolors, ink paintings, and sketches, as well as his study of decorative ancient Chinese art patterns and his industrial designs inspired by these classical motifs. These featured works are from public and private collections from home and abroad.

The books also include his theoretical essays, manuscripts, diaries, and chronological records, offering a systematic review of the entire scope of Pang's practice across creation, design and theory.

The books were released at the opening of The Splendor of the Grand Masters, The Luminary of Guanghua Road, an exhibition at the Tsinghua University Art Museum that traces Pang's decades-long career.

Pang studied oil painting in his earlier years and went to France in 1925 to pursue further studies. After returning to his homeland, he devoted himself to studying Chinese decorative motifs from successive dynasties and the patterns of ethnic groups. He once taught at the Central Academy of Fine Arts and later served as vice-principal of the Academy of Arts and Design of Tsinghua University for many years.