Peng Xiancheng

born 1941 Chengdu Sichuan China

lives in Chengdu Sichuan China

Born in 1941 in Chengdu, China, Peng Xiancheng is one of the most renowned ink painters in China. Embracing a passion for painting from a young age, Peng is a self-taught artist who graduated from Chengdu Normal School in 1962. In his twenties, he became a member of the Chinese Communist Party, engaging in propaganda art. A transformative journey along the Silk Road, spanning Dunhuang to Xinjiang, deeply shaped his artistic vision. In the 1980s, Peng established his poetic style and themes in creating works depicting Tang Dynasty figures and horses. Particularly celebrated are his exquisite portrayals of elegant court ladies and vibrant depictions of polo scenes. His artistry gained international recognition, with a polo painting of his being collected by Prince Charles of the UK (Now King Charles III of the UK).

Throughout Peng's artistic career, he has participated in more than 50 solo and group exhibitions around the world, including Twentieth Century Chinese Painting: Tradition and Innovation, travelling exhibitiion, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong; Singapore Art Museum, Singapore; British Museum, London, UK; Museum of East Asian Art, Cologne, Germany, 1995-1996. Recently, a solo exhibition Living in Seclusion, Close to Things and Feelings: Peng Xiancheng’s Works Inspired by Du Fu’s Poetry at Du Fu Thatched Cottage Museum in Chengdu in 2024, and has participated in several biennials, including Chengdu Biennial, Changsha Biennial, Beijing International Art Biennial, National Academy of Painting Biennial, Hangzhou Chinese Painting Biennial, and Shenzhen International Ink Painting Biennial. Peng has always lived in Chengdu, Sichuan. His daughter, Peng Wei is a famous contemporary female artist. In 2015, Sotheby's Hong Kong held a joint exhibition for them, Two Generations, Ink Art by Peng Xiancheng & Peng Wei.

Alisan Fine Arts began representing Peng in 1989 in the group exhibition Modern Chinese Paintings: A Selection from Beijing, Hangzhou and Sichuan at Hong Kong Arts Centre, and held a solo exhibition Peng Xiancheng: A Nostalgia for Ancient China for the artist in 1994. The gallery also brought his work to Tresors in Singapore 3 times (1993, 1994, 1997). His works were also included at gallery's milestone exhibtiion Celebrating 35 Years of Promoting Chinese Contemporary Art in 2016. In 2026, Alisan celebrates its 45th anniversary with the exhibition series "Then and Now," featuring the group exhibition Tradition Renewed: Contemporary Literati Masters showcasing Peng's new works as well as the 1980s.

His works were collected by British Museum, London, UK; Johnson Museum of Art at Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA; National Art Museum of China, Beijing; Beijing Fine Art Academy Museum; China National Academy of Painting, Beijing; Sichuan Provincial Museum, Chengdu; Du Fu Thatched Cottage Museum, Chengdu; Zhejiang Art Museum, Hangzhou; Shenzhen Art Museum, Shenzhen, China.

BIOGRAPHY
1941 Born in Chengdu, Sichuan, China
1954 At the age of 13 started learning meticulous flower-and-bird painting at Xicheng District Cultural Centre, Chengdu, China
1956 First artwork published in a Guangdong magazine Young Pioneers
1959 Studied art at Chengdu Second Normal School, Chengdu, China
1962 Graduated and worked as an art teacher, painting after work
1964 Studied painting at Cultural Palace, where Chen Zizhuang (1913-1976) demostrated and lectured on-site
1966 Travelled to Wuhan and other places, accumulating landscape imagery,iInspired the creation of the iconic theme "horse riding and herding"
1974 Taught at Chengdu Youth Palace
1978 Employed at the Du Fu Thatched Cottage Gallery, started creating Tang Dynasty poetry-inspired artworks
1980 First solo exhibition in Chengdu; selected for the 6th National Art Exhibition in China
1981 Sketches in Dunhuang and Xinjiang, laying the foundation for his style
1984 Became a full-time painter at Sichuan Provincial Institute of Calligraphy and Painting, China
1986 Met Alice King, co-founder of Alisan Fine Arts
1992 Polo painting collected by Prince Charles of the UK
1999 Attended 4th Congress of the Sichuan Provincial Artists Association and was elected as a council member
2004-2009 Served as a judge for the Art Committee of the Department of Culture
2005 Listed the Most Promising Artist in Terms of Potential Value Increase by Chinese Painting Collection Report, China
Present National First-Class Artist in China
Member of Chinese Artists Association, China
Research Fellow at China National Academy of Painting, China
Director of Sichuan Artists Association, China
Honorary Chairman of Wuhan Conservatory of Music Shenzhen Alumni Association, China
Lives and works in Chengdu, Sichuan, China

SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2024

Living in Seclusion, Close to Things and Feelings: Peng Xiancheng’s Works Inspired by Du Fu’s Poetry, Du Fu Thatched Cottage Museum, Chengdu, China

2022-2023

Sincerity Brings Inspiration: Peng Xiancheng, Changsha Museum of Art, Changsha, China

2017

Peng Xiancheng: Best Time of Year Falls in March, Tina Keng Gallery., Taipei, Taiwan

2015

The Accidental Grace of Ink 1990-2014: Peng Xiancheng Solo Exhibition, Tina Keng Gallery, Taipei, Taiwan

2011

It Will Come True If You Truly Believe It: Paintings by Peng Xiancheng, Beijing Academy of Fine Arts Museum, Beijing, China

1994

Peng Xiancheng: A Nostalgia for Ancient China, Alisan Fine Arts, Hong Kong

1991

Solo exhibition, Rongbaozhai, Hong Kong

1990

Peng Xiancheng Ink Painting Exhibition, Rong Bao Zhai, Hong Kong

1987

Peng Xiancheng Ink Figure Paintings Exhibition, Artist Gallery, Beijing Hotel, Beijing, China

SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2026

Tradition Renewed: Contemporary Literati Masters, Alisan Fine Arts, Hong Kong
Spring in Zhangqiu: Small Paintings and Calligraphy Works by 14 Masters, Zhangqiu Family Art Museum, Chengdu, China

2022

8th Art Changsha Biennial - 3 Phrases: Peng Xiancheng, Liang Quan, Lu Fusheng, Hunan Tan Guobin Contemporary Art Museum, Changsha, China

2019

The Vast World and the Bashu Art Scene: Celebrating the 70th Anniversary of the People's Republic of China, Sichuan Art Museum, Chengdu, China
Spring of Taihu Lake: 2019 Academic Invitation Exhibition of Prominent Contemporary Chinese Ink Figure Painters, Suzhou New District Chinese Painting Academy, Suzhou, China

2017-2018

The Universe of Ink: New Year Exhibition by Peng Xiancheng and Yuan Wu, Jingcao Studio, Chengdu, China

2016

Celebrating 35 Years of Promoting Chinese Contemporary Art, Hong Kong Central Library, Hong Kong
9th Shenzhen International Ink Biennial, Guan Shanyue Art Museum, Shenzhen, China
Annual Sketching Exhibition of Sichuan Poetry, Calligraphy and Painting Academy, Sichuan Chinese Calligraphy and Painting Art Museum, Chengdu, China

2015

Two Generations, Ink Art by Peng Xiancheng & Peng Wei, Sotheby's, Hong Kong

2014

30th Anniversary of Sichuan Poetry, Calligraphy and Painting Academy, National Art Museum of China, Beijing; Sichuan Chinese Calligraphy and Painting Art Museum, Chengdu, China

2013

10th China Art Festival: National Art Exhibition in China, Shandong Art Museum, Jinan, China

2012-2013

Vision of Handscrolls: 2nd Hangzhou Chinese Painting Biennial, Zhejiang Art Museum, Hangzhou, China

2012

Dialogue between North and South: Achievements of Contemporary Chinese Artists, Art Museum of China National Academy of Painting, Beijing, China

2010

12th Shanghai International Arts Festival: Invitational Exhibition of Expressive Chinese Painting, Shanghai Pudong Exhibition Centre, Shanghai, China
9th China Art Festival (Guangzhou): National Exhibition of Outstanding Artworks, Guangdong Museum of Art, Guangzhou, China
Exhibition of Famous Sichuan Artists, Three Gorges Museum, Chongqing, China
Peng Xiancheng's Works Donation Ceremony & Peng Xiancheng and His School's Exhibition, Sichuan Provincial Museum, Chengdu, China

2009

China Art Festival: Exhibition of Contemporary Chinese Painting, Guangdong Museum of Art, Guangzhou, China

2004

Fusion and Interpenetration: Annual Exhibition of Contemporary Chinese Painting, National Art Museum of China, Beijing, China

2003

1st Beijing International Art Biennial, National Art Museum of China, Beijing, China
2nd National Chinese Painting Exhibition, Dalian Art Museum, Dalian, China

2002

1st China Western Land Sentiments: Chinese Painting and Oil Painting Exhibition, Chengdu, China

2001

Centennial Chinese Painting Exhibition, National Art Museum of China, Beijing, China
National Academy Biennial & 1st Chinese Painting Exhibition, Shaanxi Art Museum, Xi'an, China
1st Chengdu Biennial, Chengdu Museum of Modern Art, Chengdu, China
Sichuan Provincial Academy of Poetry, Calligraphy and Painting: Exhibition of Chinese Paintings and Calligraphy, Hiroshima, Japan

2000

6th China Art Festival: International Chinese Painting Exhibition, Nanjing Museum, Nanjing, China
At the New Century: 1979-1999 China Art Invitation Exhibition, Chengdu Modern Art Museum, Chengdu, China
2nd Shenzhen International Ink Biennial, Guan Shanyue Art Museum, Shenzhen, China

1999

Interactive Time: Chinese Painting Exhibition 1999, Metropolitan Plaza Exhibition Hall, Chongqing, China

1998

1st Shenzhen International Ink Biennial, Guan Shanyue Art Museum, Shenzhen, China
Exhibition of Masterpieces by Contemporary Renowned Painters, He Xiangning Art Museum, Shenzhen, China
Sichuan Nine Artists Exhibition, Rongbaozhai, Hong Kong

1997

Tresors, The International Fine Art and Antiques Fair for Asia, Alisan Fine Arts, Singapore

1995-1996

20th Century Chinese Painting: Tradition and Innovation, travelling exhibition, Hong Kong Art Museum, Hong Kong; Singapore Art Museum, Singapore; British Museum, London, UK; East Asian Art Museum, Cologne, Germany

1994

Chinese Ladies, Two Approaches: Paintings by Walasse Ting & Peng Xiancheng, Tresors, The International Fine Art and Antiques Fair for Asia, Alisan Fine Arts, Singapore

1993

Tresors, The International Fine Art and Antiques Fair for Asia, Alisan Fine Arts, Singapore
Modern China's Top 10 Masters Exhibition, Wan Fung Art Gallery, Hong Kong

1992

International Ink Painting Exhibition '92 Shenzhen, Shenzhen Art Institute, Shenzhen, China
1st Contemporary Chinese Master Calligraphy and Painting Auction, Shenzhen Museum, Shenzhen, China

1990

2nd National Games Fine Arts Exhibition, Beijing, China
Landscapes, Figures, Flowers & Birds: Variation from China, Alisan Fine Arts, Hong Kong

1989

7th National Art Exhibition in China, National Art Museum of China, Beijing, China
Sichuan National Chinese Painting Exhibition, Sichuan Art Museum, Chengdu, China
Modern Chinese Paintings: A Selection from Beijing, Hangzhou and Sichuan, Alisan Fine Arts, Hong Kong Arts Centre, Hong Kong

1988

Exhibition of Chinese Paintings by 8 Sichuan Artists, National Art Museum of China, Beijing, China
Beijing International Ink Painting Exhibition, National Art Museum of China, Beijing, China

1986

Exhibition by 5 Sichuan Artists, Singapore

1984

6th National Art Exhibition in China, National Art Museum of China, Beijing, China

1980

Group Exhibition of 4 artists, organized by Sichuan Artists Association, Chengdu, China

SELECTED SKETCHING TRIPS
2009 Travelled to Dali, Yunnan for sketching
2008 Accompanied China Artists Association to Russia for research and museum visits
2007 Accompanied Chinese Painting Research Institute sketching group to Kham for sketching
2006 Accompanied the China Artists Association to sketch in India
Travelled to Europe for sketching
Travelled to Xinjiang with "Chinese Painting · Painting China" sketching group
2004 Accompanied Chinese Painting Research Institute to sketch in Hulunbuir Grassland, Inner Mongolia
2001 Accompanied Sichuan Provincial Academy of Poetry, Calligraphy and Painting to visit Japan
1994 Invited to the U.S. for the "International Visitor Program" for cultural exchange and art research
1983 Went to sketch in the Da Xiao Liang Mountains, Sichuan, China
1981 Sketched in Dunhuang and Xinjiang, laying the foundation for his style
1976 Frequently sketched at the zoo, and painted animals such as cattle and horses
1974 Went to Yunnan for sketching
1966 Travelled to Wuhan and other places, accumulating landscape imagery, inspired the creation of the iconic theme "horse riding and herding"

SELECTED COMMISSIONS
2008 Created a painting of herding for Wenshu Monastery in Chengdu, Sichuan, China
1988 Invited to paint for Beijing Hotel
1980 Painted for Beijing Hotel and was received by Deng Xiaoping there
1967 Invited to create a large-scale oil portrait of Mao Zedong

SELECTED AWARDS
2005 Listed the Most Promising Artist in Terms of Potential Value Increase by Chinese Painting Collection Report, China
2003 Selected with his daughter Peng Wei for the 1st Beijing International Art Biennial, National Art Museum of China, Beijing, China
2002 Silver Medal, 1st China Western Land Sentiments: Chinese Painting and Oil Painting Exhibition, Chengdu, China
1995 Listed in "Ten Outstanding Chinese Painters"
1990 First Prize, National Games Fine Arts Exhibition, Beijing, China
1989 Bronze Medal, 7th National Art Exhibition in China, National Art Museum of China, Beijing, China
Golden Dragon Award, Sichuan National Chinese Painting Exhibition, Sichuan Art Museum, Chengdu, China
1984 Selected 6th National Art Exhibition in China, National Art Museum of China, Beijing, China

SELECTED COLLECTIONS
British Museum, London, UK
Prince Charles, UK
Cornell University Art Museum, USA
National Art Museum of China, Beijing, China
Beijing Fine Art Academy Art Museum, Beijing, China
China National Academy of Painting, Beijing, China
Sichuan Museum, Chengdu, China
Du Fu Thatched Cottage Museum, Chengdu, China
Zhejiang Art Museum, Hangzhou, China
Ningbo Art Museum, Ningbo, China
Shenzhen Art Museum, Shenzhen, China

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
2016 Alisan Fine Arts 35 Years, gallery monograph, Alisan Fine Arts, Hong Kong
2011 It Will Come True If You Truly Believe It: Painting Album of Peng Xiancheng (Figure, Flower-and-Bird, Shangshui Painting), Beijing Publishing House, Beijing, China
2010 Peng Xiancheng's Sketches, Sichuan Fine Arts Publishing House, Chengdu, China
2008 Peng Xiancheng's Ink and Wash Figure Paintings, Jiangxi Fine Arts Publishing House, Nanchang, China
2004 The Great Masters Series: Peng Xiancheng, Hebei Education Press, Shijiazhuang, China
2003 Master Techniques: The Art of Peng Xiancheng's Boneless Figure Painting, Beijing Arts and Crafts Publishing House, Beijing, China
2000 Techniques of Painting Ladies in Chinese, Jiangxi Fine Arts Publishing House, Nanchang, China
1997 Collection of Poetic Paintings by Contemporary Chinese Painter Peng Xiancheng, Fujian Fine Arts Publishing House, Fuzhou, China
1996 Ten Masters of Chinese Yipin Paintings, Henan Fine Arts Publishing House, Zhengzhou, China
1994 Collection of Ink Figure Paintings by Peng Xiancheng, Rongbaozhai, Hong Kong
1989 Peng Xiancheng's Paintings, Sichuan Fine Arts Publishing House, Sichuan, China