The Cleveland Museum of Art (CMA) presents Demons, Ghosts, and Goblins in Chinese Art, an exhibition that explores supernatural beings in Chinese culture through paintings and sculptures. Running until January 20, 2025, the display highlights creatures that cause havoc or serve as protectors against evil forces.
The exhibition features more than a dozen paintings, sculptures, scrolls, and earthenware pieces that examine both the destructive and protective roles of demons and monsters. Among the standout pieces are three imposing guardian sculptures and a pair of large tomb guardians, typically displayed in the Clara T. Rankin Chinese Art Galleries, that have been moved into the exhibition space.
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Curator Clarissa von Spee, the James and Donna Reid Curator of Chinese Art and Interim Curator of Islamic Art, explained the cultural importance of these beings: “Supernatural spirits exist in many cultures and civilizations. In China, demons and monsters exist in the Buddhist, Daoist, and Confucian worlds. Historic figures from these belief systems, such as Shakyamuni Buddha or the demon queller Zhong Kui, exert control and governance over demons and monsters, imposing order over chaos.”
Heavenly King Virudhaka – China, Ming dynasty (1368–1644). Hanging scroll, color on silk. Photo courtesy The Cleveland Museum of Art
A notable inclusion is a 32-foot-long handscroll from a private collection depicting the rare theme of Searching for Demons in Mount Guankou. Alongside it, ten album leaves from the CMA’s own collection illustrate various aspects of the same story. These works offer a rare glimpse into a subject matter that has captivated Chinese artists for centuries, as only a dozen such paintings are known to exist.
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The exhibition also explores how monsters and spirits are linked to festivals. A finger painting of the demon queller Zhong Kui, a legendary figure in Chinese folklore, is one of the highlights. The painting portrays Zhong Kui with an intentionally grotesque appearance—his disheveled beard and ugly face meant to frighten away evil spirits. Von Spee explains, “Legends describe Zhong Kui as an unrecognized scholarly talent who once appeared in a dream of Tang emperor Xuanzong (reigned 712–56) to kill a harassing demon. Relieved of the demon, the emperor had Zhong Kui’s image painted after his dream, which became the model for all later depictions of the demon queller.”
Demon Queller Zhong Kui, drawing by Gao Qipei (1672 –1734)
Zhong Kui’s image remains a popular household guard against evil spirits, especially during New Year’s and the Double Fifth Festival. His figure, often hung in homes during these times, is believed to protect against disease and misfortune.
This free exhibition offers visitors a chance to explore the fascinating supernatural world within Chinese art, combining unique cultural beliefs with visually captivating representations. To learn more, please visit the Cleveland Museum of Art website.
Top Image: Tomb Guardians, early 700s. China, probably Shaanxi province, Xi’an, Tang dynasty (618-907). Photo courtesy The Cleveland Museum of Art
The Cleveland Museum of Art (CMA) presents Demons, Ghosts, and Goblins in Chinese Art, an exhibition that explores supernatural beings in Chinese culture through paintings and sculptures. Running until January 20, 2025, the display highlights creatures that cause havoc or serve as protectors against evil forces.
The exhibition features more than a dozen paintings, sculptures, scrolls, and earthenware pieces that examine both the destructive and protective roles of demons and monsters. Among the standout pieces are three imposing guardian sculptures and a pair of large tomb guardians, typically displayed in the Clara T. Rankin Chinese Art Galleries, that have been moved into the exhibition space.
Curator Clarissa von Spee, the James and Donna Reid Curator of Chinese Art and Interim Curator of Islamic Art, explained the cultural importance of these beings: “Supernatural spirits exist in many cultures and civilizations. In China, demons and monsters exist in the Buddhist, Daoist, and Confucian worlds. Historic figures from these belief systems, such as Shakyamuni Buddha or the demon queller Zhong Kui, exert control and governance over demons and monsters, imposing order over chaos.”
A notable inclusion is a 32-foot-long handscroll from a private collection depicting the rare theme of Searching for Demons in Mount Guankou. Alongside it, ten album leaves from the CMA’s own collection illustrate various aspects of the same story. These works offer a rare glimpse into a subject matter that has captivated Chinese artists for centuries, as only a dozen such paintings are known to exist.
The exhibition also explores how monsters and spirits are linked to festivals. A finger painting of the demon queller Zhong Kui, a legendary figure in Chinese folklore, is one of the highlights. The painting portrays Zhong Kui with an intentionally grotesque appearance—his disheveled beard and ugly face meant to frighten away evil spirits. Von Spee explains, “Legends describe Zhong Kui as an unrecognized scholarly talent who once appeared in a dream of Tang emperor Xuanzong (reigned 712–56) to kill a harassing demon. Relieved of the demon, the emperor had Zhong Kui’s image painted after his dream, which became the model for all later depictions of the demon queller.”
Zhong Kui’s image remains a popular household guard against evil spirits, especially during New Year’s and the Double Fifth Festival. His figure, often hung in homes during these times, is believed to protect against disease and misfortune.
This free exhibition offers visitors a chance to explore the fascinating supernatural world within Chinese art, combining unique cultural beliefs with visually captivating representations. To learn more, please visit the Cleveland Museum of Art website.
Top Image: Tomb Guardians, early 700s. China, probably Shaanxi province, Xi’an, Tang dynasty (618-907). Photo courtesy The Cleveland Museum of Art
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