The Art of China

Discover artworks from the 16th to 20th centuries.

In 2001, the I-Ling Chow and Thomas Li families of Maryland created a unique vision for preserving valuable Chinese art through generous in-kind donations to UMGC’s Arts Program. The Chow and Li families selected UMGC as the recipient of their collection because of its unique position as a global university with a strong historical connection to Asia. For more than 75 years, UMGC has provided educational opportunities for U.S. military personnel and their families stationed in Asia. Recognized for its innovative use of technology in providing higher education worldwide, UMGC is strongly committed to creating an environment in which artistic creativity is valued, and the arts play a major role in providing students with a rich and balanced education.

The Art of China collection contains pieces dating from the Sung dynasty (960–1279 AD) through the 19th century, a historical reach of some 10 centuries. Traditional scroll paintings are very much at the heart of the collection, including such treasured figurative works as Warm Breeze over Verdant Hills, formerly in the collection of the 17th-century Qianlong Emperor Hongli. Other scrolls forego pictorial depiction and instead celebrate the complex and contemplative beauty of calligraphic characters alone. The so-called water-writing, characterized by fluid, energetic brushwork, of Zhu Yunming’s Mountains and Willows in Spring is one such fine example. Not limited to graphic art alone, the Art of China collection also includes decorative arts and sculpture, with many quality pieces of ceramic, wood, stone, and ivory.

In addition to the Li and Chow donations, the university is fortunate to have the support of other significant Chinese artists and collectors. Dr. and Mrs. Jackson Yang provided UMGC with several albums of beautifully executed antique watercolor paintings on silk. And visitors to the third floor of the College Park Marriott Hotel & Conference Center will enjoy Robert and Sylvia Ting’s marvelous collection of snuff bottles, including some most unusual works made from amber, jade, and malachite. Artist Stephanie Kung Stryker donated several of her works, along with wonderful pieces by Lee Go Mo and Chang Dai-Chien. Among the contemporary artists to donate their work to the UMGC collection are painters Pao-Hua Chung and Pricilla Chen. With a recent donation about 15 works from Chicago collector Iver Nelson, the Art of China Collection contains at least one work from all but one Chinese dynasty.

UMGC considers it an honor to steward the long and extraordinary legacy of the art of China.