In 1928, with encouragement from Cai Yuanpei, he founded the Hangzhou National College of Art (now called the China Academy of Art) in Hangzhou, becoming its first principal and taught western painting along with French-trained artists such as Fang Ganmin and Wu Dayu.
In 1928, with backing from Cai Yuanpei, he initiated the Hangzhou National College of Art (now referred to as the China Academy of Art) in Hangzhou, assuming its inaugural position and teaching Western painting alongside French-trained instructors like Fang Ganmin and Wu Dayu.