Black-and-white photograph from 1979 showing two protesters in China holding signs with Chinese text. The left sign reads “取消‘星星’画展就是践踏宪法” (“Canceling the ‘Stars’ art exhibition is trampling the Constitution”), while the right sign features a drawing of a person kicking a ball labeled “TODAY” and the slogan “今天 >> 要政治 民主！” (“Today >> We want politics and democracy!”). The image captures a moment of political expression advocating for artistic freedom and democratic reform.

Power and Performance: Impressions of Chinese Secular and Religious Art and Customs

Betty and John Soreng Gallery

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This presentation of works from the museum’s Chinese collection explores the issues of power and performance in four sections: politics, textile, religion, and funeral art, along with a recently acquired Twenty-Four Seasons scroll by renowned contemporary artist Qiu Zhijie (born 1969) that draws connections across cultural and historical boundaries. The exhibition presents objects symbolizing political and religious power, such as textiles, bronze vessels, funerary art, and calligraphy from the imperial period, Republican times (1912-1949), and the People's Republic of China (1949-present). Highlights are a Han-dynasty (206 BCE-220 CE) funerary figurine once adorned with silk clothing, a late Qing-dynasty (1644‐1912) woman’s court robe, a calligraphic inscription by Emperor Yongzheng (1678-1735, reigned 1722-1735), and a rare ceremonial outfit from the brief revival of imperial power during the early republic. Propaganda posters and woodblock prints celebrate revolutionary performances, contrasted by impressions of people's reality in the works of Hung Liu (1948-2021), Ma Han (born 1968), and other contemporary artists.

This exhibition was co-curated by Professor Ina Asim (Department of History), Professor Mariachiara Gasparini (Department of the History of Art and Architecture), and Dr. Yan Geng (Curator of Contemporary and Traditional Chinese Art) at the University of Oregon.

Manchu Man’s Formal Court Coat (Chaofu 朝服) with Five-Clawed Dragon and Wave Design. Chinese; Qing dynasty, late 19th century. Dark blue silk satin with embroidery in polychrome silk and gold-wrapped thread, trim of dark blue silk and metal-wrapped thread Jacquard-woven fabric, silk tassel and brass beads, 53-3/8 x 83-15/16 inches. Gift of Mason DeNeffe.
Tomb Figure (Mingqi) of Standing Man. Chinese; Han dynasty (206 BCE – 220 CE). Unglazed gray earthenware with traces of cold-painted pigments, 23 x 6-1/4 x 4 inches. Murray Warner Collection.
Stone Print of Hottara (Vajraputra), one of Seventeen Arhats. Chinese; late Ming or early Qing dynasty, 16th-17th century, 9-3/4 x 6-3/8 inches. Murray Warner Collection.