Location:
UMD Art Gallery
Parren J. Mitchell Art-Sociology Building, room 2202
Join us for an exhibition preview and reception on Tuesday, September 16 from 5-7 p.m, as part of NextNOW Fest 2025. The exhibition will be on display at the UMD Art Gallery from Wednesday, September 17-December 5, 2025.
Yu Youren: Water on the Petal presents a rare and tender perspective on the life and work of Yu Youren (1879–1964), a towering figure in modern Chinese calligraphy. Best known for his powerful brushstrokes and monumental works that echo with historical and political gravity, Yu is here revealed in a quieter light—one grounded in home, family and personal reflection.
Drawn entirely from the private collection of his grandson, Victor Yu (Ph.D. ’68), a University of Maryland alumnus, these works are intimate expressions of a father’s care and a family man’s enduring hopes. Far from the bold declarations of public life, these calligraphic pieces speak in softer tones: measured, affectionate, and quietly profound. Water on the Petal marks the beginning of a series that will explore the significant and complex contributions of Yu Youren to Chinese calligraphy, education, and political life.