Exhibition ｜Beijing Stories: Sculptures by Liu Shiming and Photographs by Lois Conner

January 16, 2025 – March 21, 2025

Gallery Hours: Monday – Friday, 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM

The Liu Shiming Art Gallery is pleased to announce Beijing Stories: Sculptures by Liu

Shiming and Photographs by Lois Conner, on view from January 16 through March 21,

2025. This exhibition brings together two unique perspectives on Beijing, pairing of Liu

Shiming’s evocative sculptures with of Lois Conner’s panoramic photographs. Together,

their works offer a compelling narrative of a city in transition, reflecting its resilience,

evolution, and the enduring spirit of its people.

Liu Shiming’s sculptures, created primarily from the 1980s until his passing in 2010,

chronicle Beijing’s transformation from the early years of New China to the 2008

Olympics. His works capture the city’s journey from post-revolution challenges to

economic reform and rapid development, portraying the lives of ordinary people

navigating these changes. Liu’s art highlights the resilience of rural communities

adapting to urban life while striving to preserve their traditions as Beijing grew into

China’s political and cultural center. His sculptures convey a sense of hope, particularly

those depicting the younger generation, which he created after his family settled in

Beijing.

Lois Conner, who has visited China almost annually since 1984, offers an external yet

deeply personal perspective through her panoramic photographs. Using a large-format

7” x 17” banquet camera, she captures Beijing’s landscapes and intimate moments with

extraordinary clarity and detail. This exhibition features her images of Beijing’s evolving

cityscape from the 1980s to today, spanning iconic landmarks such as the 18th-century

Summer Palace to contemporary millennial architecture. Conner’s work explores the

delicate balance between modernity and tradition, offering a rich visual narrative of the

city’s history and cultural transformation.

Together, Liu’s sculptures and Conner’s photographs present a multifaceted exploration

of Beijing’s past and present, inviting audiences to experience the city’s dynamic spirit

through their artistic lenses.

Gallery Panel: Lois Conner and Lilly Wei, February 6, 2025 (Register here)