Hsiao Chin Coming Home: Retrospective Exhibition: China Art Museum, Shanghai

'I was born in Shanghai in 1935, but as my parents passed away within five years of each other, I was adopted by my seventh uncle at the age of 11 and taken to his home in Nanjing. The political upheavals of 1949 caused my relocation to Taiwan with my uncle's family. Today, 72 years after leaving Shanghai, I have been invited to hold my solo exhibition at the China Art Museum, Shanghai. The difference between this exhibition and others I have held in China, is the change in my mentality. The loss of my parents in early childhood, the sorrow of being forced to separate from my sister due to the war, the anger towards political brutality, its questioning and criticism of the human nature and human rights - all these are in the past and have now disappeared from my heart.

I have lost count of how many exhibitions I have had since the beginning of my career. China Art Museum, Shanghai has chosen "Coming Home" as the title of this exhibition, which makes me feel like a wanderer who has been away from home for a long time and hears the call of home. Perhaps, as I get older, I have more experience and recognize a sense of belonging. Last September, I came to Shanghai to see the exhibition venue. The Museum Director Li Lei proposed a series of plans including a five-year research programme and academic seminars for me. I specially brought a large-scale work "The Great Utopia" which I donated to the China Art Museum, Shanghai. My intention is very clear: the world of "The Great Utopia" is a just society where there is equality, fraternity, harmony and welfare. This is an ideal world, which belongs to, and is shared by, all of us. I hope, through the influence of culture and art, to make the entire community capable of positive thinking. I hope that people will be altruistic and everyone will be able to support and assist each other. Let us create an ideal living environment, and let this start from Asia, setting a good example to the world.

I have also donated a collection of my paintings from various periods to the museum. To me, this is the true meaning of "Coming Home", so that the most representative works of Hsiao Chin remain in his home town forever.

I would like to introduce my own creative philosophy in this way: "Taking the wisdom of Chinese culture as my foundation, then after introspection and assimilation of expressions of Western ideas, walking towards infinity, while continuing to explore the eternal feeling of innocence and let my career continue growing." This belief, long held in my heart, has guided my artistic creation. At the same time, I strive to convey the message and process of spiritual growth through my works, to enhance the spiritual life of the world and guide people towards the true meaning of life.

The great energy of the universe is an endless source of inspiration in my creation. I hope to share this spiritual energy with my compatriots in my home town of Shanghai and give them encouragement.

Finally, I would like to dedicate this exhibition to my beloved father and mother, and my dear sister Xuezhen'.

Hsiao Chin, 2018