Art, Heritage and York’s Place in the World

Gu Naiping was a respected Chinese painter known for his refined and contemplative approach to landscape painting. Working primarily in watercolour and ink, his art is characterised by a quiet sensitivity to light, space and atmosphere. Drawing on the traditions of classical Chinese landscape aesthetics, Gu’s paintings often explore the emotional relationship between people and place, capturing moments of stillness, memory and reflection rather than grand spectacle.

In 2017, Gu Naiping visited York with his wife and was deeply moved by the city’s historic character, its layered architecture and the sense of continuity woven through its streets and rivers. He spoke often of his admiration for York’s heritage and expressed a heartfelt wish to one day exhibit his work here, sharing his artistic vision with the people of a city he had come to love.

Sadly, Gu Naiping passed away before he was able to realise this ambition. This exhibition at St Sampson’s Centre brings together his artworks and his story, allowing his long-held wish to be fulfilled in a place rooted in community and care. By sharing his paintings in York, we honour not only his artistic legacy, but also his enduring connection to the city — and the belief that art, memory and place can continue to speak to one another across cultures and time.

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