An inspiring exhibition showcasing Liu Shiming’s journey through life, art, and cultural identity brings a global perspective to Nebraska.
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s School of Art, Art History & Design, in collaboration with the Liu Shiming Art Foundation, presents the exhibition “Liu Shiming: Life, Death & In-between,” an evocative journey through the works of one of China’s most influential modern sculptors. On display at the Eisentrager-Howard Gallery from September 3rd to 26th, this exhibition showcases over 60 sculptures and drawings, each offering an intimate glimpse into the artist’s nuanced reflections on life’s fleeting moments.
Through these artworks, Liu Shiming captures the delicate balance between the everyday and the eternal, framing human experience through a distinctly Chinese lens while evoking emotions that transcend cultural boundaries. His pieces invite viewers to meditate on the quiet dignity and beauty of ordinary life—a theme that runs through his entire body of work.
The opening reception featured a panel moderated by Fran Kaufman, Curatorial Director of the Liu Shiming Art Gallery, in conversation with professors Santiago Cal and Aaron Holz, along with special guest Richard Siggilino from Rutgers University’s gallery director and curator. Fran Kaufman shared an opening assessment of Liu’s approach: “His art reaches beyond borders, touching on the shared human experience in a way that is both intimate and grand. His art radiates with the quiet dignity of everyday moments, capturing life’s profound truths with extraordinary sensitivity. He had a remarkable gift for allowing us to see the world through his eyes, to appreciate the beauty in the mundane, and to feel the deep reverence he held for life’s simplest moments.”
Professor Cal emphasized Liu Shiming’s extraordinary ability to blend traditional craftsmanship with modern sensibilities: “Liu’s work stands as a powerful testament to how simplicity can carry profound emotional weight. Every gesture is deliberate, every mark imbued with meaning.” Cal further observed that "his work bridges cultures, yet remains deeply personal and grounded in his heritage." Professor Holz drew insightful connections between Liu’s artistic evolution and Western modernist movements, praising the sculptor’s ability to evoke “the essence of his subjects not through precision, but through a profound sense of empathy and human connection.” Holz added, “Liu’s art speaks directly to the soul, bypassing the need for perfection in form to deliver something far more impactful—humanism in its truest form.”
“Liu Shiming: Life, Death & In-between” stands as a monumental testament to the artist’s legacy, his profound respect for cultural heritage, and his ability to speak to universal emotions through distinctly local subjects. The exhibition invites the public to not only witness but feel the emotional resonance of Liu’s work, offering a rare opportunity to experience the quiet power of his art in an intimate setting.
Open to the public through September 26, 2024, this exhibition offers a transformative experience bridging the personal and the universal, the local and the global. Admission is free, and all are encouraged to visit the gallery to immerse themselves in Liu Shiming’s world.
For more information on the exhibition and upcoming events, please visit the Liu Shiming Art Foundation’s website and social medias.
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Written by: Chirui Cheng
Photo credits to: The University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s School of Art