Shanghai is the birthplace of the Communist Party of China and the site where its founding mission first took shape. In 2026, as the Communist Party of China marks its 105th anniversary, Long Museum presents "From Revolution to Nation-Building: An Exhibition of Red Classic Art." Using visual art as its narrative medium, the exhibition revisits pivotal moments in a transformative history and reflects on the defining chapters of the Communist Party of China’s century-long journey. Bringing together more than 80 groups of revolutionary historical works created from the 1930s to the early 21st century, the exhibition encompasses a diverse range of artistic forms, including printmaking, oil painting, Chinese ink painting, watercolor, and sculpture. Presented from the distinctive perspective of a private collection, the exhibition traces a visual memory spanning the years of war and the subsequent period of national reconstruction. Through these works, it looks back on the revolutionary journey led by the Communist Party of China, the presence of its leaders and heroes, and the evolving visions of China’s development and construction.

The exhibition unfolds across two sections: "The Revolutionary Journey" and "A Nation Transformed." The first revisits pivotal moments during the years of war that shaped the course of the nation, while the second traces the profound transformations that followed the founding of the People’s Republic of China. The works on view showcase both immediate visual records made in response to the events of their time and later generations’ deeply felt reflections on those turbulent years. They are at once expressions of individual artistic practice and visual manifestations of the spirit of an era. Through these landmark works spanning more than half a century, Long Museum invites visitors to revisit the extraordinary journey from revolution to nation-building, led by the Communist Party of China together with the people of China, and to reflect on the enduring faith and strength carried through the nation’s red heritage.

Section I: The Revolutionary Journey

This section focuses on the major wars and revolutionary struggles undertaken by the revolutionary forces under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, from the outbreak of the Nanchang Uprising and the arduous Long March of the Red Army, to the years of resistance against Japanese aggression, the War of Liberation, and the Korean War. Through sacrifice and perseverance, generations of revolutionaries forged an epic chapter in the history of the nation. The works on view capture important moments that marked turning points in the nation’s destiny, bringing to life the momentum and turbulence of the revolutionary era.

Some artists employ sweeping compositions to evoke the drama and intensity of decisive battles; others use delicate brushwork to portray the vivid faces of those who lived through the years of war; still others turn to the incisive language of woodcut to convey the hardships and determination of the resistance. Across these works, we encounter not only the courage and heroism of those who fought, but also moments of humanity and warmth amid the turmoil of revolution. Through brush and blade, these artists transformed fleeting moments of history into enduring images, giving visual form to the collective spirit of an era. Spanning different periods and encompassing a range of approaches to revolutionary and wartime subjects, the works are more than historical records; they also reflect successive generations of artists’ profound engagement with, and remembrance of, those who came before them. Together, they invite us to look back on a defining period in China’s modern history and to consider the resilience, determination, and collective strength that emerged in times of national crisis.

Section II: A Nation Transformed

The second section explores the theme of nation-building following the founding of the People’s Republic of China, presenting a broad portrait of a society undergoing profound transformation across agriculture, industry, culture, the military, ethnic affairs, and international relations. In the years that followed, the Communist Party of China brought together the people of all ethnic groups to build the new nation through self-reliance and perseverance. As China developed along a socialist path, nation-building emerged as one of the central subjects of artistic production. The profound changes in social life opened up an unprecedented range of subjects for artists to engage with. From monumental scenes of construction to the rhythms of everyday life; from urban factories to rural fields and border regions; from cultural and educational endeavors to national defense; from portraits of figures of the time to scenes of international exchange, the scope of artistic representation continued to expand. The beginning of the Reform and Opening Up further invigorated thematic art, as intellectual emancipation and renewed approaches to artistic thought opened new possibilities for creative expression.

With deeply felt brushwork and a keen attentiveness to the realities of their time, artists recorded the changing landscapes of China across different periods and fields of social life, tracing the country’s transformation from a nation emerging from the ruins of war to one marked by renewal and vitality. These works offer both lyrical tributes to the landscapes of the homeland and vivid portrayals of life in cities and the countryside; they give voice to the grand narratives of their time while preserving intimate glimpses of everyday experience. Alongside reverence for and remembrance of leaders and heroes, they also celebrate the dignity, vitality, and contributions of working people. These works capture the spirit of collective endeavor and give visual expression to the aspirations of a nation undergoing profound transformation. Together, these works bear witness to the profound transformation of China under the leadership of the Communist Party of China—from a nation that had "stood up," to one that grew prosperous, and ultimately to one that has grown stronger. They offer some of the most vivid visual expressions of the spirit of their times.