Dear students, honored guests, teachers, alumni, and parents:
Good evening!
At this very moment, at the Hangzhou City Balcony by the Qiantang River, a spectacular “Metamorphoses” light show is underway. The city of Hangzhou is celebrating youth in the most dazzling way and applauding the power of art. This is not only a tribute to young artists from a city steeped in history and culture vibrant with innovation, but also a hope for the passing on of artistic legacy.
On the Xiangshan campus, there is a tree, an Elaeocarpus sylvestris.
Twenty years ago, on April 8, 2005, when President Xi was working in Zhejiang, he visited the Xiangshan campus. By the waterfront east of Building 8’s gymnasium, he personally planted a tree symbolizing resilience and the ever-growing vitality of art. Today’s CAA has grown as deeply rooted and flourishing as this eocarpus sylvestris forest. It has become the largest and most comprehensive fine arts academy in the world. Generations of art students have drawn nourishment here growing strong. Wave after wave of artists have set out from here shining brilliantly.
On the lawn in front of the library, the inscription by CAA President Xu Jiang reads “Manner and Strength, Virtue and Reverence,Mastery and Openness, Experience and Vision” is carved into a stone stele:
Manner and Strength to Inspire Action.
Virtue and Reverence to cultivate character.
Mastery and Openness to measure learning.
Experience and Vision to empower ambition.
In 1928, Mr. Cai Yuanpei founded the National Academy of Art with the vision to cultivate creative individuals. In this year’s graduation exhibition, every department upholds tradition while striving for innovation and returning to its essence. Each work showed your unique creativity, your personal experiences of life, your deep reflections on existence, your keen insight into the present era, and your honest expressions of the inner self. You’ve also gained the joy of creation.
As writer Lu Yao once said in his Creation Note Sunrise from Midday:
“Though the creative process is tough, its success brings immense glory,
though we endure hardship in pursuit of success,
life’s greatest joy may lie in the act of creation itself rather than in the final result.”
Dear graduates of the Class of 2025, your graduation exhibition made a stunning success:
Over its 20-day duration, more than 500,000 people visited in person, over 100 major Chinese media outlets reported on it and 1,500 international media platforms covered it. Total overseas viewership reached nearly 30 million; total online views soared to 965 million. Every day, countless viewers were amazed by your creativity moved by your expression and inspired by your ideas. This was not just a graduation show, it was a powerful practice of aesthetic education a vivid demonstration of CAA’s educational philosophy.
Your graduation season has become a cultural phenomenon!
Your work has earned heartfelt praise from hundreds of millions!
This is your achievement and CAA’s pride!
Let us all applaud you warmly and extend our deepest thanks to the teachers and parents who have nurtured your growth.
Four years ago, in the first class of the semester, President Gao Shiming encouraged everyone to begin artistic life with the painting you are most familiar with. This is the core of your journey at CAA. In our shared artistic life, there is a special assignment: exploring “Self”, “Family”, “Hometown”, “Others”, “Artists”, and “Art”. Today, I’d like to revisit Zao Wou-Ki’s CAA assignment with you.
In 1935, the 15-year-old Zao Wou-Ki entered the Hangzhou National College of Art. In 1941, he remained at the academy as an assistant to Prof. Lin Fengmian. In 1948, he went to France for further study. In 1985, he returned to host Zao Wou-Ki painting workshops at CAA. During his student years in Hangzhou, Zao Wou-Ki often lingered by West Lake, reluctant to leave. West Lake is an indelible artistic presence lingered deeply in his heart. His first abstract painting, “Wind” was created in Paris in 1954, depicted the willow branches by West Lake in the breeze. His final oil painting completed on March 18, 2008 seems to take us back to West Lake allowing us to feel the air drifting above its calm. American scholar Ankeney Weitz told me that Zao Wou-Ki kept this painting in his bedroom during his last years. It was his longing gaze towards the West Lake.
The path of art is never smooth. In 1937, Zao wrote in a graduation message to his classmate Xu Tiesheng: “Difficulties are set for you to overcome.” In August 1941, Mr. Wu Dayu, wrote a letter to the newly graduated Zao Wou-Ki:
“In the dimness of life,
who can look directly at nature,
truly understand life,
pierce into their own heart,
and release inner vitality?”
These words shaped Zao’s lifelong conviction that “painting springs from an inner necessity”. In 1935, he painted “Untitled (Portrait of Lan Lan)” in Hangzhou, overflowing with tenderness for his beloved. In 1949, he created “The Funeral” commemorating the premature loss of his and Lanlan’s first son during the war migration. His 1955 painting “Jardin de Mon Père (My Father’s Garden)” reflects his warm childhood memories. “05.03.75–07.01.85” painted over ten years, is a poignant tribute to his mother. In 1956, “TheHommage à Chu-Yun” was created in sorrow after he mistakenly believed his classmate Zhuang Huayue had died. He stayed up several nights to complete it. Between 1999 and 2000, he painted “Homage to my friend Henri Michaux” to mark their 50-year friendship and Michaux’s 100th birthday which was also a tribute to China. It was Henri Michaux who guided him back to the roots of Chinese cultural.
Zao Wou-Ki once said: “Who can truly understand how much time and effort it took for me to study and absorb Cézanne and Matisse and then return to what I believe to be the most beautiful painting in the world Tang and Song dynasty art? The answer is 50 years.”
In moments of confusion, doubt, or despair, Zao Wou-Ki always found creative strength and innovation from the deep roots of traditional Chinese culture.
Out of love for Hangzhou and his alma mater, Zao Wou-Ki’s son and his daughterinlaw donated the oil painting “Untitled (Portrait of Lan Lan)”. His widow donated a total of 212 works, among them 10 oil paintings, including “My Home in Hangzhou” created in 1947. 213 pieces were donated in total. These donations cleared Shanghai Customs on February 13, 2025, which happened to be Zao Wou-Ki’s birthday. On April 9 this year, at the ceremony for the Zao Wou-Ki Art Donation held on the CAA’s 97th anniversary. Everyone witnessed the deep emotions of Zao Wou-Ki’s widow and Zhao Jialing as well as their heartfelt respect for CAA. Coincidentally on that day was also the 12th anniversary of Mr. Zao Wou-Ki’s passing.
Zao Wou‑Ki’s lifelong artistic practice epitomizes the “CAA assignment” which melds past and present while bridging East and West. May it inspire your own creations.
In July 1933, Mr. Cai Yuanpei wrote an inscription for the graduation album of the first and second classes of the National Academy of Art:
“Technique approaches the Way.
Through daily practice, skill is elevated,
approaching the transcendence of art.”
Mr. Lin Fengmian wrote in the preface:
“After graduation,
you will surely pursue further studies.
Engage in art education
and maintain a connection with your alma mater.”
Dear students, a few years ago, you came to CAA from all corners of the world. During your time here, you explored and practiced day after day. Artistic creation has given us far more than just techniques. It has sharpened our eyes to observe the world: our sincerity in seeking meaning, our perseverance in breaking boundaries and our open-mindedness to embrace diversity. These reflections and challenges accumulated month by month are the most unique imprints in your lives.
Today, you will step out from CAA into the nation and the world. Wherever you go, the path of CAA will extend there. No matter how far you travel, CAA will always be your “Cultural landscape and spiritual homeland”.
Tomorrow, you will embark on a new journey. Whatever career path you pursue, regardless of how society defines success, the extraordinary times you’ve experienced have taught you more than any previous generation how to remain steadfast amid uncertainty and how to find clarity in confusion.
In the years ahead, may you always hold your homeland close to your heart, be grateful to your parents, repay their love with a childlike heart and reward their kindness with your accomplishments.
Be a person of compassion and integrity.
On the road of art, dream freely like the boundless sky and sea, act with grounded determination and become someone with creativity who helps shape the new global landscape of art. Everyone at CAA is proud of you and extends to you our heartfelt blessings.
In three years, CAA will celebrate its centenary. We look forward to your return to your alma mater carrying the joy of creation. Those who share the same aspirations are never truly apart.
