Curated by Lü Peng and hosted by the Shanghai Powerlong Museum, the exhibition "Art History: 40×40" opened on November 9, 2018. The curator seeks to delineate the history of contemporary art from 1978 to 2018 by studying and showcasing the works of 40 artists.
The exhibition is divided into three phases: the opening phase from 1978 to 1989 characterized by "intellectual liberation." The second phase spans from 1989 to 1999, emphasizing a departure from essentialist modes of thinking. From 2000 onwards to 2018 constitutes the third phase, closely intertwined with specific economic, political, and international events. China aspired to become an active participant and contributor in the wave of globalization, a sentiment reflected equally in the realm of art.