A collection of reprinted photos of film star Hu Die (1908-1989), also known by her English name Butterfly Wu, is on show at Taikang Space in Beijing. The exhibition, named Butterfly Wu: Queen of the Movies recounts the life of Hu Die through 200 rare historical photos on loan from the Poon Family. The exhibition covers three sections include portraits, travel photography and film stills, depicting details about Hu Die’s life and the Chinese film industry from the beginning to the middle of the twentieth century.

Born in Shanghai, Hu Die was one of the most popular Chinese actresses during the 1920s and 1930s. She starred in The Burning of the Red Lotus Temple, which started a craze for martial arts films, Sing-Song Girl Red Peony, China's first sound film, and what is considered as her best film, Twin Sisters. She was voted China's first "Movie Queen" in 1933, and won the Best Actress Award at the 1960 Asian Film Festival for her performance in Rear Door. She was also the first Chinese film star received widespread recognition in China and abroad.

Taikang Space is a non-profit art institution devoted to the collection, exhibition, research, and promotion of Chinese contemporary art. It was founded by Taikang Life Insurance Co., Ltd in 2003, and has received long-term support from the company. In 2009, Taikang Space relocated from the 798 Art District to Caochangdi, an art village in northeast Beijing.

If you go:

10:30 - 17:30, Tuesday to Saturday, through September 23. Taikang Space, Red No.1-B2, Caochangdi, Cuigezhuang, Chaoyang District, Beijing. 010-5127-3173