The early 20th century was a time of artistic fervor, especially in Paris. It was a pivotal historic epoch in art history that epitomized an intense outgrowth of radical exploration as well as a return to conservative conventions in the aftermath of the First World War. During this dichotomous period of social uncertainty and optimism, Chinese artists made their way to Paris attempting to "learn from the West." Who were the artists, what were they able to access during their time abroad and what effects were they able to engender in transforming Chinese art upon their return to their native country?

Julie Chun is an American Art Historian based in Shanghai since 2011. She has been critically observing and documenting the growth of the art world in Shanghai. She serves as the Art Convener of the Royal Asiatic Society China, where she devotes her time to increasing the public's understanding of artistic objects, past and present. She lectures frequently for various foreign associations in Shanghai, including the foreign Consulate General offices and is an adjunct professor of Art History for the Institute for Study Abroad at Shanghai University of Finance and Economics. She is a regular contributing writer for Yishu Journal of Contemporary Chinese Art and her art reviews and criticisms have been published in academic journals and online art journals in China and internationally.