The nomadic art of northern China has a long history, documenting the important role nomads played in the history of China and the Eurasian continent. Recently, the City University of Hong Kong’s Pao Gao Exhibition Hall held an exhibition titled “Hunters, Warriors, and Spirits: Nomadic Art of Northern China,” telling the stories of ancient nomads through over 250 precious artworks, reflecting the deep spiritual connection between humans and nature.
The exhibition is divided into six parts, namely “Oroqen Ethnic Group”, “Hunters and Animals”, “Early Hunters – Xiongnu and Xianbei”, “Warriors”, “Empire”, and “Spiritual World”. From their origins in the little-known millennium BC to the “Golden Age” of the 10th to 13th centuries AD. The exhibition combines archaeology, art history, and anthropology from multiple perspectives, vividly presenting the historical and cultural context of these exhibits against the backdrop of cultural exchanges across the Eurasian continent, providing a complete presentation of the world of ancient nomadic peoples in northern China.
The “Oroqen Ethnic Group” is hailed as the “last hunters of the northern forests of China,” showcasing rare Oroqen ethnic items such as clothing, deer skin pouches, leg wraps, birch bark boxes, birch bark saddlebags, etc., presenting the daily life of the Oroqen ethnic group.
“The Hunter and the Animal” showcases the important position of animal patterns in nomadic art. The design of animal images in northern China reflects the dual role of nomads as herders and hunters, and is also an important element in constructing their external image. Various fierce beasts such as tigers, lions, wolves, martens, rhinoceroses, camels, yaks, and bison become the main patterns for ornaments, bronze daggers, and knives.
The “Early Hunters – Xiongnu and Xianbei” exhibition features many Xianbei soldiers, warriors, horseback figurines, and their beautifully designed equipment, showcasing the heroic spirit of the nomads on horseback. Nomads are born warriors, and the “Warrior” section displays rare equipment of nomadic warriors, such as iron decorative leather armguards, ancient bronze helmets, Mongol Empire-style wide chest and back plates, and more, all of which are precious and rare. Battle axes, daggers, short swords, single-edged swords are commonly used weapons by nomadic peoples, while the round-edged bronze axe with a tubular shaft is one of the oldest exhibits in this exhibition.
Nomads traveled and traded on the Silk Road, and their artistic heritage reflects the cultural exchanges along the route. The section “Empire” showcases a variety of exquisite saddle and horse decorations, including silver or gold-plated crowns, elaborate amber pendants worn on the chest, and wrist ornaments.
Ancient nomads had a unique insight into the impermanence of life. Buddhist teachings catered to their desire for inner peace, establishing Buddhism as the state religion during the Northern and Southern Dynasties. “Spiritual World” showcases exquisite Buddhist art pieces, such as a seated Buddha with a gold crown, a bronze pillow with lotus flower carvings, wooden statues of warriors, and stone carvings of Vajra in the Gandhara style from India.
The exhibition also includes 18 contemporary sculptures by the master Darcy Namdakov, photography works by Marc Progin, and animated creations by Zhang Jiyun. New media works by Shao Zhifei and Sarah Kenderdine present two Shaman costumes in a three-dimensional way, allowing the audience to interact and explore the meanings and symbolic symbols of different parts of the Shaman costumes. In addition, the 5th-century Yungang Grottoes Buddha ruins, reshaped with iDome projection technology, make the audience feel as if they are in the grottoes; the exhibition also features live Shaman animations, vividly and interestingly explaining the stories of early nomadic peoples.
“Hunter · Warrior · Spirit: Northern Chinese Nomadic Art” Exhibition
Date: From now until October 23 (Closed on Mondays)
Time: 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Location: 18th Floor, Lau Ming Wai Academic Building, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon Tong
Learn more or make a reservation to visit: City University of Hong Kong Pao Gao Exhibition Hall
