Of Autumn in the Forbidden City, East Veranda (1997), Hong Lei writes, “I still cannot forget the cultural glory of our ancestors, which I first witnessed as a child. I am troubled and angry about the destruction of this heritage, which I see in my everyday life. It is as if this ancient civilization has collapsed in an instant in front of my eyes. This is unbearable and unstoppable.”

Credit: Collection JGS, Inc.