The Kalamazoo Institute of Arts is proud to present Ink Rhapsody: The Art of the Lingnan Masters in Hong Kong, a landmark exhibition opening July 12, 2025, that illuminates a pivotal chapter in Chinese art history. Organized in collaboration with the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, the exhibition offers Southwest Michigan audiences rare firsthand access to works of extraordinary beauty, intellectual depth, and cultural significance.

Ink Rhapsody traces the evolution of the Lingnan School, a groundbreaking regional art movement that emerged in southern China in the early 20th century. Founded by visionary artist Gao Jianfu, the Lingnan School sought to modernize classical Chinese painting by incorporating Japanese nihonga, Western watercolor techniques, political themes, and a bold new visual vocabulary.

Presented in two thematic sections, the exhibition begins with the dynamic relationship between Gao Jianfu and his student Yang Shanshen, illustrating how innovation was passed from generation to generation. The second section broadens the lens to include other Lingnan artists working in Canton (now Guangzhou) and Hong Kong, where the movement flourished and helped position the city as a center of modern Chinese painting. Together, the nearly 40 featured works—drawn from the distinguished Joy and Tim Light Collection—offer visitors a window into a dynamic and globally connected moment in modern Chinese art. 

“We are honored to share this remarkable collection with our community,” said Michelle Hargrave, Executive Director of the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts. “The Lingnan artists were bold innovators and cultural bridge-builders. Their work captures a spirit of transformation—blending tradition and experimentation, East and West—that resonates deeply today. For many of our visitors, this will be their first encounter with the Lingnan School, and we’re excited to create opportunities for discovery, dialogue, and connection through these extraordinary works.”

Through exquisite brushwork, expressive color, and dynamic compositions, the artists of the Lingnan School reimagined the possibilities of ink painting. Their works reflect a global crossroads—where nature meets revolution, and where artistic tradition is shaped by personal and political vision. Ink Rhapsody offers not only visual delight but also historical insight into a moment of profound cultural change—inviting audiences to experience how art can shape, reflect, and challenge the world around us.

​​About the Lingnan School

The Lingnan School emerged during a time of profound political and cultural change in China.

Its artists challenged conventional aesthetics and rigid tradition by introducing naturalistic brushwork, expressive forms, and global influences. They were inspired by Japanese painting,

European watercolor, and the evolving political consciousness of the early 20th century. What made the Lingnan School revolutionary was not just its fusion of East and West, but its

belief in the role of art as a force for progress.

Through paintings of birds in flight, mist-covered mountains, and human figures caught in moments of reflection, Lingnan artists helped to define a new visual language for modern China. Ink Rhapsody brings this movement vividly to life—inviting viewers to see, question, and reflect. The exhibition will include interpretive storytelling, bilingual materials, and robust educational partnerships with local schools and universities to deepen engagement.

The exhibition promotes the understanding of the history and characteristics of southern traditions of Chinese ink art through a refined selection of works from the Joy and Tim Light Collection.

Member Preview

Please join us for the KIA Members’ Preview for the Ink Rhapsody: The Art of Lingnan Masters in Hong Kong exhibit in the Joy Light Gallery on Thursday, July 10th from 5 pm – 6:30 pm.   The reception will take place in the lobby with light refreshments provided. There will be brief remarks at 5:15 with the exhibit open for preview viewing from 5:15 pm – 6:30 pm. 

Thank you to exhibition sponsors Joy Light East Asian Art Acquisition and Exhibition Fund with additional support generously provided by Tom & Donna Lambert and Tim & Ping Liang.