Chen Jialing

born 1937 Hangzhou China
lives in Shanghai China
Born in 1937 in Hangzhou, China, Chen Jialing is a renowned traditional Chinese painter and a leading figure of the contemporary "Haipai" Shanghai School, best known for his distinctive lotus paintings. Chen graduated from the Department of Chinese Painting at Zhejiang Academy of Fine Arts (now the China Academy of Art in Hangzhou) in 1963, where he studied under Pan Tianshou (1897-1971). From the 1970s onward, he continued his studies in landscape painting and calligraphy under Lu Yanshao (1909-1993).  Rooted in tradition yet infused with a strong modern sensibility, his work achieves a remarkable balance between classical refinement and contemporary expression. In his compositions, the colour from traditional ink paintings is modulated and tempered, lending his compositions a distinctive sense of elegance and serenity.

In 2014-2015, his documentary Chen Jialing received three Best Documentary awards, including at the Rome International Film Festival, and he was also presented with the Cultural Ambassador Award by the Hawaii International Film Festival. In 2018, the Chen Jialing Art Museum was established at Shanghai Jade Buddha Temple. He currently lives and works in Shanghai, where he is a professor at Shanghai University Academy of Fine Arts and a research fellow at China National Academy of Painting in Beijing.

His works have been exhibited in more than 20 countries and regions, including the US, Germany, and Japan, including major solo exhibitions at Shanghai Chinese Painting Academy (2007) and National Museum of China in Beijing (2017). In 2024, he presented the exhibition A Life by the River: The Art of Chen Jialing at Réfectoire des Cordeliers in Paris, featuring painted porcelain works of the Iris, the national flower of France, in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and France. In the same year, the bilingual publication Aspiring Ever Higher: The Artistic Life of Chen Jialing was released, documenting his artistic career. The two latest solo exhibitions in Shanghai, Vast Impressions: Chen Jialing's Art and Mounting the Green Clouds: Chen Jialing Artwork Exhibition, both ended in June 2026. Major retrospective will be held at Guangdong Museum of Art, Guangzhou in September, 2026. His works are currently on display at Hong Kong M+'s Shanshui: Echoes and Signals.

Alisan Fine Arts has represented Chen Jialing’s lotus paintings since the 1980s, presenting his work in landmark group exhibitions such as A State of Transition: Contemporary Painting from Shanghai in 1987 and Landscapes, Figures, Flowers & Birds: Variation from China in 1990. In 2026, Alisan celebrates its 45th anniversary with the exhibition series "Then and Now," featuring the group exhibition Tradition Renewed: Contemporary Literati Masters showcasing Chen's recent and early works.

Chen’s paintings are in the collection of Cernuschi Museum, Paris, France; National Art Museum of China, Beijing; National Museum of China, Beijing; Zhejiang Art Museum, Hangzhou; Shanghai Jade Buddha Temple, Shanghai; M+, Hong Kong, to name a few.

BIOGRAPHY
1937   Born in Hangzhou, China
1963   Graduated from Chinese painting department, Zhejiang Academy of Fine Arts (now China Academy of Art), studying under Pan Tianshou (1897-1971) and Lu Yanshao (1909-1993)
1963-1983   Professor, Chinese painting department, Shanghai University College of Fine Arts (now Shanghai Academy of Fine Arts), Shanghai, China
1986   Lectured at University of Fine Arts in West Berlin, West Berlin, Germany
1987   His lotus flower paintings were featured on the cover of The New Chinese Painting: 1949–1986 by Joan Lebold Cohen, with a special introduction, published by Abrams, New York, USA
1989   Awarded the Silver Prize, 7th National Art Exhibition in China
1994   Participated in "Chinese Modern Ink Painting Academic Seminar" in Taiwan
Participated in the "8th International Academic Conference" organized by the European Chinese Association in Paris, France
1995   Participated in "China-Germany Cultural Month", organised by Ministry of Culture and Media in Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
1997   Exchange activities in the US, organized by Shanghai University College of Fine Arts
1998   Travelled to Canada to participate in the "Top Ten Shanghai Artists On-site Event" organized by Shanghai Jianguo Charity Foundation
Participated in the "Canada through the Eyes of Chinese Painters" event
1999   Participated in the "International Ceramic Festival", Netherlands; and conducted art observation in France, Belgium, Italy, and Greece
2000   Founded Shen Kiln, a fire art salon in Shanghai, China
Travelled to the US visiting Miami, Minnesota, and Los Angeles
2003   Planned the establishment of Peninsula Art Museum, the first private art museum in Shanghai, China
Established Peninsula Porcelain Art Gallery, the first private porcelain art gallery in Shanghai, and also founded a ceramic studio called Ling Kiln
2009-2015   Lectured in the US and mainland China, including at Hawaii Fokuangshan Temple; Peking University, Tsinghua University, Central Academy of Fine Arts, Beijing; China Academy of Art, Hangzhou; Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai Academy of Fine Arts, Shanghai Jade Buddha Temple, Shanghai; Yuelu Academy in Changsha, Hunan; Xi'an Academy of Fine Arts, Xi'an; National Taiwan Normal University, Taiwan 
2013   Ling Kiln was recognized as Shanghai's intangible cultural heritage of Hai Pai porcelain art, refers to the avant-garde but unique "East Meets West" culture from Shanghai in the 20th and 21st centuries
2014   Documentary "Chen Jialing" premiered at the Rome International Film Festival in Italy
2015   Documentary "Chen Jialing" premiered in Shanghai, and won four major awards at Brisbane International Film Festival in Australia and Hawaii International Film Festival in the US
2016   President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan of the People's Republic of China, along with 35 heads of state and regional leaders, took a group photo in front of Chen's paintings at the G20 Summit in Hangzhou, China
Lotus paintings became the theme background artwork for state banquets held at Waterfront Restaurant of West Lake Guesthouse, Shanghai, China
2019   Chen Jialing Buddhist Art Museum established at Jade Buddha Temple, Shanghai, China
Published Chen Jialing's Art, National Museum of China, Beijing, China
Published the art series Shanghai · Footprints: Chen Jialing by Shanghai University Press, Shanghai, China
2021  Shanghai Jiaotong University Museum compiled Red Star Shines on My Journey: Chen Jialing's Works in Revolutionary published by Shanghai Literature and Art Publishing House, Shanghai, China
2024   Representative artist commemorating the 60th anniversary of Sino-French diplomatic relations, held a solo exhibition in Paris, showcasing French national flower Iris painted porcelain
Present   Lives and works in Shanghai, China

SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2026
  • Retrospective, Guangdong Museum of Art, Guangzhou, China (to be opened in Sept 2026)
  • Vast Impressions: Chen Jialing's Art, Shanghai Pujiang First Bay 1088 Park, Shanghai, China
  • Mounting the Green Clouds: Chen Jialing Artwork Exhibition, Chen Jialing Exhibition Hall, Guanyuanyi Art Creative Park, Shanghai, China
2017-2018
  • Splendid Gathering: Spring Festival Exhibition of Fine Paintings by Shanghai Masters, Huacui Center, Branch of the Shanghai Oil Painting and Sculpture Institute Art Museum, Shanghai, China
2024
  • Waterfront Ink and Colour: Chen Jialing Art Exhibition - 60th Anniversary of China-France Diplomatic Relations, Cordelier Space, Paris, France
2013, 2017
  • The Realm of the East: Chen Jialing Art Exhibition, National Museum of China, Beijing, China
  • Roaming the Mind, Shaanxi History Museum, Xi'an, China
  • Roaming the Mind, Anhui Provincial Museum (New Hall), Hefei, China
2010
  • Harmony and Beauty, Zhejiang Art Museum, Hangzhou, China
2009-2010
  • Roaming the Mind, Guangdong Museum of Art, Guangzhou, China
2007
  • Harmony and Beauty, Shanghai Chinese Painting Institute, Shanghai, China
  • Spirit and Transformation: Chen Jialing Exhibition, National Art Museum of China, Beijing, China
  • The Realm of the East, Shanghai Art Museum, Shanghai, China
2004
  • Harmony is Precious: Chen Jialing Art Exhibition, Art World Gallery, Tokyo, Japan
1993
  • Chen Jialing Painting Exhibition, Hyeon Gallery, Seoul, South Korea
  • Chen Jialing Art Exhibition, Dragon Art Centre, Taipei, Taiwan
1992
  • Chen Jialing New Works Exhibition, Plum Blossoms Gallery, Hong Kong; Singapore
1991
  • Spirit and Transformation: Chen Jialing Exhibition, Singapore Museum, Singapore
1990
  • Chen Jialing Painting Exhibition, Crown Arts and Culture Centre, Taipei, Taiwan
  • Spirit and Transformation: Chen Jialing Exhibition, Plum Blossoms Gallery, Hong Kong; Singapore
1989
  • Solo Exhibition, Plum Blossoms Gallery, Hong Kong

SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2026
2025
  • City · Garden: 2025 Exhibition of Works by Teachers and Students of Flower-and-Bird Painting from National Higher Arts Institutions, China Art Museum, Shanghai, China
  • Painting the Tang Poem, Xie Zhiliu and Chen Peiqiu Art Centre, Shanghai, China
2024-Ongoing
  • Shanshui: Echoes and Signals, M+, Hong Kong
2006
  • Shanghai Renowned Painters Exchange Exhibition, Indian Habitat Centre, New Delhi, India
2005
  • Heaven, Earth, Harmony: Liu Kuo-sung, Chen Jialing, Qiu Deshu,s Shanghai New Ink Art Exhibition, Duolun Modern Art Museum, Shanghai, China
2002
  • Contemporary Chinese Painting Outstanding Works: Shanghai Exhibition, organized by Shanghai Artists Association and Shanghai Chinese Painting Institute, National Political Consultative Halll, Beijing, China
2001
  • Asian Peace Art Exhibition, organized by Bijutsu World Co., Ltd., Shinjuku i-Land Aqua Square, Tokyo, Japan
2000
  • New Chinese Painting Exhibition, Jiangsu Art Museum, Nanjing; Liu Haisu Art Museum, Shanghai, China
1998
  • 1st Shenzhen International Ink Biennial, Shenzhen, China
  • Shanghai Biennial, Shanghai Art Museum; Liu Haisu Art Museum, Shanghai, China
  • Shanghai Selection Exhibition, organised by Shanghai Culture Foundation, Shanghai Art Museum, Shanghai, China
1996
  • Shanghai 3-Persons Exhibition, Huacui Art Centre, Shanghai, China
  • Shanghai Ink Painting Exhibition, Arizona State University Art Museum, Arizona, USA
  • Contemporary Chinese Painting and Sculpture, Michael Goedhuis, London, UK
1995
  • East Meets West: Transformations in Late 20th Century Chinese Art, Discovery Museum, Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA
  • China-Germany Cultural Month, organised by Ministry of Culture and Media in Hamburg, Hamburg Art Museum; Hamburg Museum of Arts and Crafts, Hamburg, Germany
1994
  • Exhibition of Chinese Ink Paintings by 12 Shanghai Artists, co-organised by Shanghai Academy of Chinese Painting and Singapore Haozhen Gallery, Singapore Heritage Museum, Singapore
  • Invitational Exhibition of Art Exchange between China, Japan, Korea and Hong Kong, organised by Wulingzhuang Art Society, Hong Kong City Hall, Hong Kong; National Cultural Palace, Beijing, China
  • Exhibition of Modern Chinese Ink Painting, Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts, Taichung, Taiwan
1993
  • The Light of Oriental Art: Exhibition of the First East Asian Games, Shanghai Art Museum, Shanghai, China
  • Exhibition of Modern Ink Paintings by Taiwan and Shanghai, co-organised by Shanghai Xinmin Evening News and Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Culture for Foreign Countries, Shanghai, China
  • Exhibition of Modern Art in Shanghai, organised by Shanghai Art Museum, Yokohama Civic Gallery, Yokohama, Japan
  • Korea Gallery Art Festival, Hyun Gallery, Seoul, Korea
1992
  • Special Exhibition of Landscape Paintings by Korea and China, Dongsanfang Gallery, Seoul, Korea
  • Special Exhibition of Paintings of Yangtze River, Dongsanfang Gallery, Seoul, Korea
  • International Ink-Wash Painting Exhibition : Shenzhen '92, Shenzhen Fine Art Institute, Shenzhen, China
1991
  • Asian Aesthetics: Modern Chinese Painting, Bend Art Centre Museum, USA
  • Contemporary Chinese Painting Exhibition, organised by Korea Economic News Agency, National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul, South Korea
1990
  • New Generation of Chinese Art, Smith Museum of Fine Arts, USA
  • Landscapes, Figures, Flowers & Birds: Variation from China, Alisan Fine Arts, Hong Kong Arts Centre, Hong Kong
1989
  • 7th National Art Exhibition in China, National Art Museum of China, Beijing, China
1988
  • 57 International Gallery, New York, USA
  • Modern Chinese Painting Exhibition, Galerie Oberlicht, West Berlin, Germany
1987
  • A State of Transition: Contemporary Painting from Shanghai, Alisan Fine Arts, Hong Kong Arts Centre, Hong Kong
1984
  • 6th National Art Exhibition in China, Nanjing, China

SELECTED AWARDS
2015   Chen Jialing Documentary, Best Documentary Award, 2nd Brisbane Film Festival, Brisbane, Australia
Chen Jialing Documentary, Best Documentary of the Year Award, 11th China-US Film Festival
Chen Jialing Documentary, Best Documentary Award and "Cultural Ambassador", 35th Hawaii International Film Festival, Hawaii, USA
1989   Silver Medal, 7th National Art Exhibition in China, National Art Museum of China, Beijing, China
1984   Honorable Mention, 6th National Art Exhibition in China, Nanjing, China

SELECTED COLLECTIONS
Cernuschi Museum, Paris, France
National Art Museum of China, Beijing, China
National Museum of China, Beijing, China
Shanghai Art Museum, Shanghai, China
Jade Buddha Temple, Shanghai, China
Zhejiang Art Museum, Hangzhou, China
Xi'an Art Museum, Xi'an, China
Hefei Museum, Hefei, China
Guangdong Museum of Art, Guangzhou, China
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