Lions, Tigers, and Plum Blossoms: Interpreting He Xiangning’s Ink Art 狮虎与梅花：解读何香凝的水墨艺术

He Xiangning was a leading figure in modern China, recognised as a social activist and artist. A member of the Tongmenghui, she was also among the earliest Chinese women artists to study overseas. Through sustained practice, she developed a distinctive painting style. Beyond personal enjoyment, she spent her life actively engaging in social and political causes through art, advocating for women’s rights.

Her paintings primarily feature subjects such as plum blossoms, lions and landscapes. In her time, motifs such as lions and tigers were widely used by male artists, including Gao Jianfu, Chen Shuren and Xu Beihong, for their symbolic and allegorical meanings. Among women painters, He Xiangning is a notable exception in exploring these subjects. Why did she gravitate toward such subjects? What do these imageries reflect the historical context and spirit of her era? Held in conjunction with the exhibition He Xiangning: Ink & Intent, this opening lecture by scholar Hua Tianxue will trace He Xiangning’s artistic career, analyse the symbolic significance of her major works and situate her contributions within the broader cultural landscape of her time.

何香凝是中国近代史上的重要人物。她是同盟会会员、革命家、社会活动家，又因工作需要，成为中国最早赴海外学习美术的女性之一。她通过不懈的绘画实践逐渐发展出自己独特的画风，除自娱自乐、陶养情操之外，终其一生，她都是通过艺术参与社会政治活动、倡导女性权利的积极践行者。

何香凝的绘画题材以梅花、狮子、山水等为主。在彼时语境下，狮虎题材以明确的寄寓和象征的意象受到很多画家的钟爱，如高剑父、陈树人、徐悲鸿等男性画家均有涉猎，而涉猎此题材的女性画家似仅何香凝一例。她为何会有狮虎和梅花等取材倾向？这些意象又如何映照出她所身处的历史语境与时代精神的？作为展览《何香凝：画就丹青凭寄意》的学术项目之一，本次开幕讲座特邀学者华天雪，梳理何香凝的艺术发展轨迹，深入解析其主要题材和代表作品的精神意涵，重审其创作在时代文化中的位置与意义。

*The lecture will be delivered in Mandarin with simultaneous interpretation (Mandarin to English) available on-site.

• When: 11 Apr 2026, 2pm
• Suitable For: Adults, Families, Visitors with accessibility needs, Students and Educators, Young Adults
• Where: National Gallery Singapore, City Hall Wing, Level B1, The Ngee Ann Kongsi Auditorium
• Ticket information: Free, registration required