National Museum showcases Zhu Bingren's bronze masterpieces

The "Bridging Eras: The Copper Art of Zhu Bingren through Eight Decades" exhibition opened at the National Museum of China on Monday, signifying a new chapter in Zhu's illustrious career and celebrating his lifelong dedication to the art of bronze.

The exhibition showcases over 100 bronze masterpieces created by Zhu Bingren, a master copper sculptor and national intangible cultural heritage inheritor. The displayed works weigh a collective 35.6 tons, including one piece weighing 3.7 tons, making it the "heaviest" exhibition in the museum's history.

A unique feature of the exhibition is the display of ten national bronze treasures from the Warring States period (475-221 BC). It represents a convergence of modern copper-melting techniques with ancient bronze civilization.

"Being able to exhibit at the National Museum is the greatest fortune in my life. I am grateful for this great era," said Zhu. "My first molten copper artwork was collected by the National Museum in 2007, and now many of my other works with this technique have been proudly returned home."

The exhibition is divided into four sections: Traditional Innovation, Mastery of Copper, Skillful Copper Carving and Artistic Innovation.

Zhu's latest work, "Yellow River", captures the river's dynamic flow by transforming molten copper into solid form. It honors the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, reflecting the enduring spirit of the Chinese nation.

Zhu Sidi contributed to this story.