Witness to history

He Xiangning (1878-1972) is one of the most influential figures in shaping the revolutionary and cultural scene of 20th-century China. Born into a well-connected family, she grew up to be a revolutionary, devoted patriot and social activist who championed women's rights. She was also a noted artist who expressed her social ideals and deep concerns for the nation and its people through her own paintings and collaborative works with other leading cultural figures of her time. Witnessing a Thriving Nation, now underway at the east exhibition hall of the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing, surveys He's life and career as a reflection of the dramatic social changes of 20th-century China. The exhibition, running until Nov 9, is a collaboration with the He Xiangning Art Museum in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, which houses a long-term display of He's works. 9 am-5 pm, closed on Mondays. 2 West Chang'an Avenue, Xicheng district, Beijing. 010-6655-0000.

Picturesque Xinjiang

A Place Worth Visiting, an exhibition ongoing at Xinjiang Art Museum, in Urumqi, shows oil landscapes painted by Fan Di'an in recent years, which celebrate both the natural beauty and social developments in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. Fan now chairs the China Artists Association, while his devotion to promoting art and creations themed on Xinjiang, its history and culture has spanned years including those when he headed the National Art Museum of China and later the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing. Recently, he has spent more time traveling and painting across the country, including in Xinjiang. Fan has also donated the 70 paintings on show to Xinjiang Art Museum and Xinjiang Academy of Painting in celebration of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the autonomous region. The exhibition runs until Oct 11. 11 am-6:30 pm, closed on Mondays. 167 Youhao Bei Lu, Urumqi, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. 0991-551-5752.

Sparks of fusion

A newly opened exhibition at the Art Museum of the Central Academy of Fine Arts, in Beijing, brings the complex subject of "controlled nuclear fusion", to life in a way that is both vivid and accessible. Artists and scientists have worked together to demonstrate how the process has played a role in social advancements, at Energy and Civilization — Science and Art Fusion Future. The exhibition through to Oct 12 is a collaboration between the Central Academy of Fine Arts, and the Institute of Energy at Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center in Hefei, Anhui province, as well as the city government of Hefei, aiming to bring the public closer to the frontiers of energy technology. 9:30 am-5:30 pm, closed on Mondays. 8 Huajiadi Nan Jie, Chaoyang district, Beijing. 010-6477-1575.