Gu Tinglong and Gu Songfen: two paths of patriotism
Gu Tinglong and Gu Songfen in Suzhou, 1983
Suzhou, a city famed for its magnificent canals, bridges and classical gardens, has for many centuries proved itself an ideal environment for artists, writers and intellectuals to prosper.
An exhibition featuring the manuscripts, sketches, maps, photographs and other memorabilia of two of the city’s 20th century’s titans runs at Suzhou Art Museum through September 18.
Bibliographer, sinologist and calligrapher Gu Tinglong (1904-1998) was once director of Shanghai Library. He tried to protect many ancient books during the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.
His son, aircraft designer Gu Songfen, 89, is a member of both the Chinese Academy of Engineering and the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Gu Songfen is widely known as “the father of the J-8,” China’s first successful attempt to develop a fighter independently.
“The exhibition mainly plots the journey of Gu Songfen from a prominent Suzhou family of intellectuals to the forefront of fighter design,” said Cao Jun, director of the museum.
It was in 1937, when Gu Songfen was only 7, that he witnessed the bombing of Beijing and resolved to “design a Chinese fighter that would protect China’s sky.”
On graduation from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Gu Songfen, then 22 years old, without any reference books to guide him, translated by himself all the material he could find on fighters from other countries.
“We are pleased that some of the drawing and computing tools he used at that time are part of this exhibition. Although the father and son followed very different paths, both of their careers are garlanded with great achievements,” said Cao.
Exhibition info
Date: Through September 18, 9am-4pm
Address: 2075 Renmin Road, Suzhou
The drawing tools that Gu Songfen and his team members used
