The Young Scholars Forum “Southwest China and the Construction of Chinese Art History” was successfully held on June 18, 2022. It was co-sponsored by the Art College of Sichuan University, the Theory Committee of the Sichuan Artists Association, the University Working Committee of the Sichuan Artists Association, and the Sichuan Federation of Literary and Art Circles, and undertaken by the Department of Fine Arts, Sichuan University. A combination of online and offline processes is employed in this forum.

Prof. Li Ming, director of the Department of Fine Arts, presided over the opening ceremony. In a warm welcome and sincere thanks, he introduced the guests and representatives to the online and offline participants. Afterward, A speech was delivered by Prof. He Yu, Dean of the Art College of Sichuan University. During his speech, Prof. He emphatically presented the history and prospects of the Art College, and sincerely invited young scholars to join the college and contribute to its growth. At the end of the ceremony, Prof. Huang Zongxian, Academic Dean of the Art College, gave a keynote speech for the forum. His speech, titled “Southwest China in the Territory of Chinese Art History”, provided a perspective regarding the relationship between Chinese and its regional art history research, along with how to handle the regionality and centrality in it. Furthermore, he clarified the purpose and expected results of this forum, hoping to deepen the understanding of the culture and art of the southwest region in the art history circle.

Experts invited to participate in this forum include (in no particular order): Prof. Chang Qing (Sichuan University), Prof. Li Song (Peking University), Prof. Bai Wen (Xi'an Academy of Fine Arts), Prof. Lu Ding (Sichuan University), Prof. Zheng Yan (Peking University), Prof. Long Yimei (Yunnan Arts University), A.P. Huang Lingzi (Sichuan University), Prof. Huang Xiaofeng (Central Academy of Fine Arts), Prof. Li Yongqiang (Guangxi Arts University), Prof. Wu Yongqiang (Sichuan University), Prof. Wu Xuesan ( Central Academy of Fine Arts), Prof. Zou Jianlin (Sichuan Fine Arts Institute), Prof. Peng Rong (Sichuan University), Prof. Zhi Yu (Sichuan University), Prof. Gu Jing (Guizhou Normal University).

There were 61 papers submitted by young scholars at home and abroad, of which 22 were selected for the forum's speech session. According to the themes of the submitted papers, this forum is divided into5 theme sessions, followed by: (1) Religious Art in Southwest China, (2) Visual Culture and Material Culture in Southwest China, (3) Calligraphy and Painting in Southwest China, (4) Art in Southwest China of the 20th Century and (5) Contemporary Art Creation in Southwest China. During each session, 4 to 5 speakers present reports on relevant topics, followed by a brief review by 3 reviewing experts. Based on the axis of time, these 5 sessions construct an overall picture of southwest and Chinese art history.

The first session focused on religious art in the southwest. 4 presentations analyzed issues of the small caves in Guangyuan, Sichuan, the biographical thangka of Milarepa, the cliff statue in Xiyan, Zizhong, Sichuan, and the No. 14 niche of the Shizhongshan Caves in Yunnan, based on a substantial amount of field archaeological data.

The second session, which focused on material culture, particularly funerary and carving art, featured five speakers discussing their research. Two scholars in this field used tombs from late times, especially those from the Qing Dynasty, as research cases. This enhanced chronology and filled a gap in research.

Calligraphy and painting in the southwest was the theme of the third forum session. Four speakers shared their understanding of the following issues: the Mu's collection of calligraphy and painting, the production of images of Sichuan Province during the Qianlong period, the interpretation of the theme of Zhang Shengwen’s scroll, and how Qi Baishi 's trip to Sichuan influenced his calligraphy and painting. Considering "Fine arts in southwest China during the 20th century" as the core issue of the fourth session, speakers mainly concentrated on the visual record of southwestern landscapes, as well as the impressions and creations of painters about this area.

In its final session, the forum's topic was "Contemporary Art in the Southwest". With the help of rich images and documents, four speakers presented the diversity of contemporary art in the southwest region.

All speakers presented fluently and fully demonstrated good academic quality throughout the forum. In response, experts who participated commented on the reports and provided suggestions to help speakers improve their research and ability. It was also expected that the young speakers would maintain their pioneering spirit and collide more with the academic field in the future. Moreover, a high evaluation for the forum was also given by experts as it is all beneficial.

At the end of the forum, Prof. Li Ming made a concluding statement. Once again, he sincerely expressed his gratitude to all participants, including the young speakers, experts, and other supporters who were online or offline. Prof. Li also wished that taking this forum as the cornerstone, a more thematic and refined academic conference about the art history of Southwest China could be held in the coming year. “At that time, I hope we will gather in Chengdu for an academic feast”, he said. Amidst the warm applause of online and offline participants, the “Southwest China and the Construction of Chinese Art History” Young Scholars Forum successfully closed.