See the Smile: A Timeless Epic of Buddhist Sculptural Art from Ancient Qingzhou

As the Lunar New Year approaches, the highly anticipated exhibition "Witness the Smile: Ancient Qingzhou Buddhist Sculptures" officially opened on January 18, 2025, at the Guardian Art Center in Beijing and will run until March 12. Presented in collaboration with the Qingzhou Museum, Linqu Museum, Anqiu Museum, and Shouguang Museum, this exhibition offers an unparalleled artistic feast spanning millennia.

This extraordinary exhibition features 51 precious artifacts from the Wei, Jin, and Northern and Southern Dynasties periods, nearly half of which are classified as National First-Class Cultural Relics. Each piece exemplifies the pinnacle of ancient Chinese sculptural artistry, whether in the evolution of artistic styles or the refinement of sculpting techniques. Among the highlights are the Buddhist sculptures excavated from the Longxing Temple ruins in Qingzhou, Shandong, acclaimed as one of the "Top 100 Archaeological Discoveries of the 20th Century in China" and praised as "masterpieces that redefined Eastern art history."

Several of these exquisite works were previously featured in the third season of the popular CCTV documentary series "If National Treasures Could Talk." Now, they transition from the television screen to the exhibition hall at the Guardian Art Center. Spanning approximately 500 years of Buddhist art history from the Northern Wei to the Sui Dynasty, the exhibition charts the evolution of artistic styles, weaving a timeless epic of Buddhist sculptural art that transcends time and space.

Exhibition Information

Exhibition Dates
January 19, 2025 – March 12, 2025 (10:00 AM – 6:00 PM, closed on Mondays)
Closed from January 27 to February 1, reopening on February 2.

Exhibition Venue
Guardian Art Center, First Floor, Beijing

Ticket Information
Early Bird Tickets: 60 RMB
(Available for a limited time via the "One in Guardian" Mini Program)

Organizers

• Guardian Art Center
• Qingzhou Museum
• Linqu Museum
• Shouguang Museum
• Anqiu Museum

Co-organizer

• Beijing PopMuse Art Communication Co., Ltd.