'Grass Society 1980s' was the inaugural exhibition of the group, Grass Society. The independent group was established in October 1979, providing art education and organising exhibitions in conjunction with the running of the Luwan District House of Culture.

Focusing on exploring the potential of Chinese painting, the exhibition brochure states the manifesto of the group which emphasizes "independence of spirit, originality of style, and uniqueness of technique" and that it aims to "conduct experiments to continue and develop the great Chinese artistic tradition as a contribution to the nation's Four Modernisations." The show featured a total of ten artists and their works. The exhibition was closed on 22 February 1980, a week after the opening, by officials who claimed that the works were not permissible since they had not been approved by any official before the display. Soon after the exhibition was shut down, the society was dismissed as well.