“却是石榴知立夏，年年此日一花开”，今年的毕业作品展在武汉满城芬芳的时节，以一种特别的形式拉开了序幕。

这是一次意义非凡的展览。

一场疫情来得有些猝不及防，在最艰难的时刻，我校师生员工以无比坚韧的信念与精神，一边抗疫，一边维护着每门课程的线上教学，如期迎来今天这场不同往日的展览。通过云端，全球各地的校友和更多观众跨越时空，共同见证与分享1699名本科生在疫情期间完成的毕业作品。我相信，在每一件作品背后，都有一段动人的故事，那或是教师的呕心沥血，或是家长的默默支持，或是同学们在面对创作条件极为受限情况下的种种不易与坚持，也或是来自“美院一家人”的深情祝愿，是某一个逆行者带给我们的力量与感动。感谢故事中的每个人，成就了今天的这场以多元的主题、丰富的手法、多学科的交融、大胆的创新呈现的视觉盛宴！

在此，为在疫情中付出努力乃至生命的人们致以最诚挚的敬意！向为本次“云展览”辛勤付出的师生员工致以最诚挚的慰问！向疫情期间为我校发来慰问电的联合国教科文组织创意网络城市大学以及与我校合作的国际大学表示衷心的感谢！向结对“一帮一”关心我院毕业生的中央美术学院表示真挚的谢意！向参加本次毕业展的同学们表示衷心的祝贺！

这是一个值得纪念的日子。

自抗疫至今的百余日里，全体教职员工一边维护着正常教学，一边紧锣密鼓地做着期待复学准备。与此同时，为庆祝母校百年华诞，系列纪念活动也在有条不紊地筹备着，今天的毕业展正是校庆活动的内容。

从1920到2020，从当年“创校三子”蒋兰圃、唐义精、徐子珩的筚路蓝缕，从初创的武昌美术学校到今日的湖北美术学院，在战火的洗礼、人事的变迁与岁月的更迭里中，一代又一代湖美人“铁肩担道义、妙手绘丹青”践行着家国天下的情怀，也激发着每一代湖美人为国家兴盛、民族复兴贡献自己的力量，而不计生死、舍己为群的慷慨义气。

危难时刻，方显本色。我想，疫情时刻，百年湖美之精神再次得到诠释！

许奋   湖北美术学院党委副书记、院长

2020年5月

“The pomegranate tree knows when summer starts. It bursts into blossom on this day every year.” This year’s graduation exhibition opens in a special form in the most fragrant season of Wuhan.

This is an exhibition of extraordinary significance.

We were caught off guard by the epidemic. At the most difficult time, teachers, students and staff members of Hubei Institute of Fine Arts have fought against the epidemic and meanwhile proceeded with all the online teaching courses with extremely tenacious beliefs and spirits. Today, this unique exhibition, which bears no similarities with any one before,  is presented to you on schedule. Through the internet, alumni and audiences around the world have crossed time and space to witness and share the graduation works created by 1699 graduates during the epidemic. I believe that behind each piece of work, there is a moving story. It may be the toil of teachers, the silent support from parents, the difficulties and persistence of students under extremely limited creative conditions, the affectionate wishes from the Wechat Group Chat named “The Family of Hubei Institute of Fine Arts”, or the strength brought to us by someone who has braved the danger. This visual feast presented with diverse themes, rich techniques, multi-disciplinary blending and bold innovation is possible due to every character in the stories.

Here, let’s pay the most sincere tribute to the people who have worked hard and even lost their lives during the epidemic. Let’s extend the most sincere respects to the teachers and students who have worked hard for this “cloud exhibition”. I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to the UNESCO Creative Network City University that has sent a message of sympathy during the epidemic, as well as the international universities that have cooperated with us. I also want to express my sincere gratitude to Central Academy of Fine Arts that helped the graduates of our school in a “one-for-one” form. Congratulations to the students who participate in this graduation exhibition!

This is a memorable day.

In the more than 100 days since the first day of the battle against COVID-19 epidemic, all faculty and staff have been making intensive preparations for the resumption of school while maintaining normal teaching. At the same time, in order to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the school, a series of commemorative activities are also being organized in an orderly manner. This graduation exhibition is part of the celebration.

From 1920 to 2020, the “Three Founders of the School”, namely, Jiang Lanpu, Tang Yijing and Xu Ziheng have endured great hardships, and the Wuchang Fine Arts School in the beginning has developed into today’s Hubei Institute of Fine Arts. In the baptism of war, and with the changes of personnel and the passage of time, generations of people in Hubei Institute of Fine Arts “bear the moral responsibility with their iron shoulders and carry out artistic creation with their skills”. They not only practice the patriotism themselves, but also inspire the following generations to make contributions to the prosperity of the country and national rejuvenation, without considering of personal safety or individual interests for the sake of the collective welfare.

True quality stands out in difficult times. I think that, in the face of the epidemic, the spirit of the century-old Hubei Institute of Fine Arts is enriched.

——Xu Fen, Deputy Party Secretary and President of Hubei Institute of Fine Arts，May 2020