Exhibit brings cultural revolution to Utah

The Woodbury Art Museum, located on the second floor of the University Mall, has a new exhibit opening on September 14. The collection, titled “Art Through the Cultural Revolution,” features art from the Cultural Revolution of China.

The Cultural Revolution started in 1966, when chairman of the Communist Party, Mao Zedong, became concerned that Chinese society was leaning toward a more liberal and capitalistic way of living. He started the Cultural Revolution to counteract any anti-government movements that were happening within the country. This resulted in a very violent movement that didn’t truly end until Mao’s death in 1976.

The Woodbury’s exhibit features art from a team of artists called the Cave Artists Group. The group studied under Beijing artist Jin Zhilin, who lived in Yan’an (the capital of the Chinese Communists) during the Revolution. Jin insisted that his students studied the rich local folk art in Yan’an. The art reflects the peasant feel of the region. Most pieces are done with watercolors and woodcarvings because those are the primary mediums of the area.

The original collection was created not to be sold, but to inform the public for political and social purposes. The exhibit will also feature two documentaries, as well as photographs from that time period.

The Woodbury Art Museum is open to the public Tuesdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. or by appointment. It is located on the southeast side of the mall, next to Nordstrom’s department store.