View of the Opening Ceremony
On December 18, "Art for Life — The Exhibition of Artworks by Members of the China Democratic League at the Central Academy of Fine Arts & the Exhibition Commemorating the 75th Anniversary of CAFA Branch of the China Democratic League" was unveiled at CAFA Art Museum. Guided by the Beijing Municipal Committee of the China Democratic League, it is organized by the Party Committee of the Central Academy of Fine Arts and the Chaoyang District Committee of the China Democratic League, and undertaken by the United Front Work Department of the CAFA Party Committee and the CAFA Branch of the China Democratic League.
The Group Photo of Honored Guests with Artists
Honored guests unveiled the Home of CDL Members for CAFA CDL Branch
Ding Zhongli, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and Chairman of the Central Committee of the China Democratic League, attended the opening ceremony. The ceremony was hosted by Cheng Hong, Member of the Standing Committee of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Vice Chairman of the Central Committee of the China Democratic League, Vice Chairman of the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese, and Chairman of the Beijing Municipal Committee of the China Democratic League. Wu Weishan, Deputy Secretary-General of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Vice Chairman of the Central Committee of the China Democratic League, and Vice Chairman of the China Artists Association, as well as Lin Mao, President of the Central Academy of Fine Arts, attended the ceremony and delivered speeches.
Wu Weishan stated that the Central Academy of Fine Arts is closely connected with the development of modern Chinese art. Members of the China Democratic League at the Central Academy of Fine Arts have created outstanding works and made remarkable contributions throughout various historical periods. By retrospecting and commemorating the older generation of excellent League-member artists represented by Wu Zuoren, Liu Kaiqu, Jiang Zhaohe, Li Hua, and others, this exhibition inspires contemporary artists and members of the China Democratic League to keep advancing. It is hoped that the CAFA Branch of the China Democratic League will continue to lead its members effectively, actively participate in the construction of Chinese-style modernization, empower economic and social development through cultural and artistic endeavors, and they can collectively contribute more to Beijing's promotion as a national cultural center and further accelerate the building of China into a cultural powerhouse.
Lin Mao expressed that, this exhibition, themed "Art for Life", continues and promotes the artistic principles of Prof. Wu Zuoren, the first chairperson of the CAFA Branch of the China Democratic League (CDL), and it also vividly outlines the spiritual legacy of the branch over the past 75 years. The branch has always upheld the CDL tradition of "advocating national affairs and focusing on people's livelihood", staying true to the original mission of "art for the people" and consistently resonating with the times. It is hoped that the branch takes this exhibition as a new starting point, guiding its members to integrate their personal artistic ideals into the broader national development, cultivating a new generation of artists capable of shouldering the responsibility of national rejuvenation, and making new and greater contributions to the prosperity and development of fine arts undertakings in China.
The Central Academy of Fine Arts donated books to the United Front Work Department of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee and the Beijing Municipal Committee of the Democratic League.
The Beijing Municipal Committee of the China Democratic League donated books to the CAFA Branch of the China Democratic League.
The exhibition brings together works from 24 leading artists, covering painting, sculpture, architecture, video, design, and books, displaying an artistic panorama that transcends time and space. Among the exhibits are representative works by the senior generation of CDL artists such as Wu Zuoren, Liu Kaiqu, Li Hua, and Dai Ze, reflecting their profound explorations in the essence of art; meticulously crafted works by retired members such as Jiang Caiping, Zhai Xinjian, Li Yang, and Xu Ping, reflecting the legacy of artistic pursuit at CAFA; as well as innovative practices by young and mid-career teachers, showcasing their responsibility and commitment of new-generation members.
Wang Duwei, Deputy Head of the United Front Work Department of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee and Director of the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the Beijing Municipal Government; Wu Xiaojie, Secretary of the CPC Chaoyang District Committee in Beijing; Xu Yang, Party Secretary of the Central Academy of Fine Arts; Liu Xuejun, National Committee member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Deputy Chairman of the Beijing Municipal Committee of the China Democratic League, and former Director of the China Broadcasting Art Troupe; Zhang Zhenjun, Member of the Central Committee of the China Democratic League, Deputy Secretary-General of the Beijing CPPCC, full-time Deputy Chairman of the Beijing Municipal Committee of the China Democratic League, and First-Level Inspector; Hei Dekun, Standing Committee member of the Beijing CPPCC and Deputy Director (Deputy Chief) of the Service Center (Service Bureau) of the United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Committee; Zhang Feng, Deputy Secretary-General and Head of the Publicity Department of the Central Committee of the China Democratic League, among other leaders, as well as members of the leadership team of the Central Academy of Fine Arts, participating artists, representatives of family members, and representatives of teachers and students attended the opening ceremony.
Exhibition View
About the Exhibition
Art for Life — The Exhibition of Artworks by Members of the China Democratic League at the Central Academy of Fine Arts & the Exhibition Commemorating the 75th Anniversary of CAFA Branch of the China Democratic League
Guided by: Beijing Committee of the China Democratic League
Organizers: CPC Committee of the Central Academy of Fine Arts, Beijing Chaoyang District Committee of the China Democratic League
Undertaking Organizers: United Front Work Department of the Party Committee of the Central Academy of Fine Arts, CAFA Branch of the China Democratic League
Co-organizers: CAFA Art Museum, Retirement Affairs Office of the Central Academy of Fine Arts
Supported by: Dongcheng District Committee of the China Democratic League, Beijing; Administrative Office of the Central Academy of Fine Arts; CPC Publicity Department of the Central Academy of Fine Arts; Safety and Stability Work Department of the Central Academy of Fine Arts
Exhibition Dates: December 18–29, 2025
Exhibition Venue: First Floor, Art Museum, Central Academy of Fine Arts
Edited by Publicity Department, CAFA.
