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)
