Beijing Stories: Sculptures by Liu Shiming and Photographs by Lois Conner
Exhibition Views, Beijing Stories: Sculptures by Liu Shiming and Photographs by Lois Conner Liu Shiming Art Gallery, New York, 2025 Copyright Lois Conner, Liu Shiming, Courtesy the artist and Liu Shiming Art Gallery
The Liu Shiming Art Gallery is pleased to announce Beijing Stories: Sculptures by Liu Shiming and Photographs by Lois Conner, the exhibition opened on January 16 and will be on view 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.
Liu Shiming Cutting Through Mountains to Bring in Water, 1958 Bronze 34 x 37.5 x 18
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.
Exhibition Views, Beijing Stories: Sculptures by Liu Shiming and Photographs by Lois Conner Liu Shiming Art Gallery, New York, 2025 Copyright Lois Conner, Liu Shiming, Courtesy the artist and Liu Shiming Art Gallery
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.
About Liu Shiming Art Gallery
Located in the center of Manhattan, just steps from the 42nd Street New York Public Library, the Liu Shiming Art Gallery is dedicated to showcasing the works of renowned sculptor Liu Shiming. Through solo exhibitions and curated group shows, the gallery highlights Liu’s sculptures and drawings alongside works by artists who share or draw inspiration from similar artistic traditions. Beyond exhibitions, the gallery serves as a space for cultural and artistic programs, hosting events that foster dialogue and engagement with diverse creative communities.
About Liu Shiming
Liu Shiming (1926–2010) was a pioneering Chinese sculptor whose work bridged traditional Chinese art and modernist influences. A graduate of the Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA) in Beijing, he was among the first generation of sculptors trained in the People’s Republic of China. Liu’s early works, including Measuring Land (1950), gained national and international recognition, but he later chose to live and work in rural China, drawing inspiration from local traditions and daily life to develop his signature humanist style.
Working primarily in ceramics, Liu Shiming created sculptures that reflect a deep connection to his cultural heritage and a sensitivity to human experience. His works have been exhibited internationally, including in United States, and Canada, and China. In 2018, CAFA established the Liu Shiming Sculpture Museum, and in 2024, the Liu Shiming Art Gallery opened in Manhattan to celebrate his legacy.
About Lois Conner
Lois Conner is a New York-based photographer renowned for her panoramic “portraits” of landscapes and urban environments, particularly her decades-long documentation of Beijing. Using a large-format 7” x 17” banquet camera, she captures sweeping vistas and intricate details, offering a nuanced perspective on the city’s transformation since her first visit in 1984 during a Guggenheim Fellowship. Conner’s work juxtaposes Beijing’s rapid modernization with its enduring cultural heritage, creating a dialogue between the past and present. Her photographs are featured in prominent collections, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the British Museum, showcasing her ability to reveal the profound beauty and complexity of her subjects.
For more information about this exhibition and the foundation, please visit the site here. The gallery and foundation can also be found on Instagram and Facebook.
