Woodcuts: From Shanghai to nationwide during the War of Resistance

The China Art Museum in Shanghai is showcasing a selection of prints from the New Woodcut Movement, created between 1931 and 1949, in an exhibition titled "Carving History." Illustrating how art became a weapon of resistance, the exhibition includes such notable pieces as "Flesh-Bombing Defender" by Wang Qi, which was inspired by a pilot's sacrifice during the 1937 Battle of Shanghai, as well as the works by artist Li Lu, who satirized fascist leaders and depicted the realities of global struggle. At a time when photography was not widely accessible, these prints preserved history and honored unsung heroes, and continue to demonstrate the ability of art to inspire and unite.

Related: Carving history: Shanghai exhibition of wartime woodcut art