Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, the He Art Museum is set to open its doors to the public on October 1st. Located in Guangdong Province, China, this museum was designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Tadao Ando. It showcases an impressive collection of international contemporary art, Chinese contemporary art, and modern Chinese art, all amassed by the founding family who now call the museum their home.
The museum aims to revitalize the art scene in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Originally scheduled to open on March 21, 2020, the opening was postponed due to the pandemic and will now officially take place on October 1, 2020. The inaugural exhibition, titled World Scenery, is curated by chief curator and critic Feng Boyi along with Hu Bin, Wang Xiaosong, Liu Gang, and Shao Shu. This exhibition broadens the traditional concept of “world scenery” to include themes of production, consumption, ecology, and the environment while exploring contemporary civilization through natural laws. The exhibition spans the museum’s second and third floors.
“We take pride in rooting ourselves within our community and strengthening connections with the Greater Bay Area,” says Shao Shu, Executive Director of the museum. “Visitors will experience world-class exhibitions while also gaining insight into Guangdong’s traditions through themed and permanent displays. We are also preparing for Art Museum 2, a new project dedicated to public activities that engage the local community.”
Inspired by ancient Chinese cosmology and philosophy, Tadao Ando incorporates natural light—a hallmark of Western architecture—into the design, blending it with the unique characteristics of the Lingnan region. The museum is located in Shunde, Guangdong, in southern China, and was founded by Mr. He Jianfeng. It houses over 500 works including paintings, calligraphy, photography, and sculptures.
Natural light flows from the central courtyard into the exhibition spaces, illuminating the atrium and showcasing the museum’s distinctive double spiral staircase. This design reinterprets principles of traditional Chinese architecture with a modern touch. Inspired by the traditional waterfront homes of Lingnan, Ando designed the exhibition areas as circular spaces, harmonizing with the local environment.
“My vision for the He Art Museum is to bring art and culture to my hometown, Shunde, as well as the Pearl River Delta region and visitors from around the world,” expresses He Jianfeng, the museum’s founder. “I hope to spark curiosity about Lingnan traditions and culture and contribute to the cultural development outlined in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area national plan.”
——He Jianfeng, Founder of the He Art Museum
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