Heping Liu

Heping Liu is an Associate Professor of Art History at Wellesley College, specializing in Chinese painting of the Song dynasty. His research explores intersections of art, literature, environment, science, and technology during China's 10th-12th centuries.

• Ph.D. from Yale University
• Recipient of NEH and ACLS Fellowships
• Teaches courses on Japanese/Chinese art, poetic painting, and Song imperial painting academy
• Focuses on hands-on art education through museum sessions

Key research themes include:

• Political exile in Song landscapes
• Imperial patronage systems
• Buddhist iconography adaptation
• Urban/rural representations
• Cross-cultural artistic exchange

Notable publications analyze:

• Qingming Shanghe Tu (2011)
• Juecheng's Buddhist works (2007)
• Empress Liu's Maitreya portrait (2003)
• Water-mill technological symbolism (2002)

Scientific recognition:

• National Endowment for the Humanities Fellowship
• American Council of Learned Societies Fellowship

Teaching philosophy emphasizes direct engagement with artworks through:

• Davis Museum resources
• Boston-New York institutional partnerships
• Object-based learning sessions
• Comparative East Asian studies