Jiang Baolin

born 1942 Penglai Shandong China

lives in Beijing China

Jiang Baolin was born in Penglai, Shandong, in 1942, and is an important contemporary landscape painter. At the age of 17, he started to study landscape painting, flower-and-bird painting, figure painting, calligraphy, and seal carving. From 1962 to 1967, he studied at Zhejiang Academy of Fine Arts (now the China Academy of Art in Hangzhou), where he was taught by Pan Tianshou (1897–1971), Lu Weizhao (1899–1980), Lu Yanshao (1909–1993), and Gu Kunbo (1905–1970). In 1979, he received a master’s degree in landscape painting from Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing, where he also received personal guidance from Li Keran (1907-1989). Jiang builds his works through layered ink and colour, with interwoven dots and lines creating a densee, profound texture enlivened by flickers of light. In particular, his iconic baimiao (line-drawing) paintings remain among his most recognisable achievements. Unlike traditional baimiao, he abandons texture and shading, reducing the image to abstract rhythmic lines.

He currently lives and works in Beijing, serves as Doctoral supervisor, Chinese National Academy of Arts, and Vice president of Li Keran Academy.

Since the 1980s, Jiang has held over 50 solo and group exhibitions in France, Japan, China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, and has received many awards, including the Outstanding Work Award, 1st Beijing International Ink Painting Exhibition, China (1988); the Government Prize, 26th Monte Carlo International Painting Grand Prix, Monaco (1992); Freeman Foundation First Prize for Artistic Creation, Vermont Studio Center, USA (1999); Silver Award, 9th National Art Exhibition in China (also 1999); Silver Willow Leaf Award, Cambridge Xu Zhimo Poetry and Art Festival, UK (2017). Recently he was named Outstanding Artist, Inaugural Forbes China Cultural Figures Selection (2024).

Alisan Fine Arts began representing Jiang Baolin in 1989. His works were included in two important group exhibitions organised by the gallery at Hong Kong Arts Centre: Modern Chinese Paintings: A Selection from Beijing, Hangzhou and Sichuan (1989), and Landscapes, Figures, Flowers & Birds: Variation from China (1990). In 1994, the gallery held his first solo exhibition, Jiang Baolin, and in 1996, his works were shown at the International Asian Art Fair in New York. In 2026, Alisan celebrates its 45th anniversary with the exhibition series "Then and Now," featuring the group exhibition Tradition Renewed: Contemporary Literati Masters showcasing Jiang's early works in 1990s.

His works are held in the collections of several important political institutions in Beijing, such as Great Hall of the People, Beijing; Chairman Mao Memorial Hall; Qinzheng Hall of Zhongnanhai; General Office of the State Council; and art museums National Art Museum of China; China National Academy of Arts; Central Academy of Fine Arts; as well as China Academy of Art, Hangzhou; Tianjin Museum; Jiangsu Art Museum; and Hong Kong Heritage Museum.

BIOGRAPHY
1942 Born in Penglai, Shandong, China

1959 At the age of 17, studied landscape painting, flower-and-bird painting, figure painting, calligraphy, and seal carving under He Baozhen (1904–1987) and Chen Shourong (1916–2003)
1962-1967 Studied landscape painting, Department of Chinese Painting, Zhejiang Academy of Fine Arts (now China Academy of Art in Hangzhou) under the guidance of Pan Tianshou (1897-1971), Lu Weizhao (1899-1980), Lu Yanshao (1909-1993), Gu Kunbo (1905-1970)
1969-1979 Assigned to work at Zhejiang Fenghua Culture Hall, Ningbo, China
1979-1981 Master of Landscape Painting, Central Academy of Fine Arts, Beijing, China, under the guidance of Li Keran (1907-1989)
1984 Co-founded and appointed to the board of directors, Zhejiang Academy of Painting, Hangzhou, China; Lu Yanshao as the first director
1987 First solo exhibition at Chinese Painting Research Institute (now China National Academy of Painting), Beijing, China; Li Keran cut the ribbon and inscribed; Lu Yanshao inscribed for the exhibition catalogue
Established unique style of "Baimiao Landscape" (line-drawing)

1988 First mainland painter to hold solo exhibition in Taiwan
1991 Signed Exhibition Catalogue of Jiang Baolin published by Verlag Rommerskirchen, in conjunction with a solo exhibition in Germany
1994 Professor, China Academy of Art, Hangzhou; Member of China Artists Association, Beijing; Director of the board, Zhejiang Academy of Painting, Hangzhou; Member of Cui Zifan International Art Foundation, Shandong, China
1996 Visiting professor, Central Academy of Fine Arts, Beijing, China
2000 Doctoral supervisor, Zhang Ding's studio, Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
2004 Served as a judge for Chinese painting section, 10th National Art Exhibition in China, Beijing, China
2005 Doctoral supervisor, Chinese National Academy of Arts, Beijing, China
Director, Hangzhou Academy of Painting, Hangzhou, China
2013 Established Jiang Baolin Scholarship
2019 Solo exhibition at Asian Art Museum in Fukuoka, Japan, received extensive coverage from CCTV and Japanese media
Researcher, Centre for Philosophy of Art Studies, School of Philosophy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
2024 Named an Outstanding Artist, Inaugural Forbes China Leading Cultural Figures Selection, China
CCTV-1 cultural program "Biographies of Masters" broadcasted "Jiang Baolin: Guarding the Ink Brush Towards Modernity"
Present Doctoral supervisor, Chinese National Academy of Arts
Committee member and researcher, China National Academy of Painting
Vice president of Li Keran Academy
Honorary president, Hangzhou Academy of Painting
Honorary president, Zhejiang Grand Canal Silk Culture Research Institute
Honorary chairman, Zhejiang Landscape Painting Research Association
Lives and works in Beijing, China

SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2025-2026

Artists.zip Contemporary Artists Archive: Jiang Baolin Showcase, Artron Art Centre, Shenzhen, China

2025

Ink and Modernity: Jiang Baolin's Modern Ink Research Exhibition, Shanghai Haipai Art Museum, Shanghai, China

2021

Jiang Baolin Art Exhibition, Chongqing Art Museum, Chongqing, China

2019

Ink and Modernity: Jiang Baolin Art Exhibition, Fukuoka Asian Art Museum, Fukuoka, Japan

2018

The Realm of Great Image: Exhibition of Jiang Baolin, Guangdong Nanan Zhishang Art Museum, Guangzhou, China

2015

Into the Millennium Chinese Torreya Forest: Jiang Baolin's Art Exhibition, Zhuji Museum, Zhuji, China

2014

Selected Collections: Calligraphy and Flower-and-Bird Painting, National Exhibition Art Centre, China National Academy of Painting, Beijing, China

2011

Jiang Baolin Art Exhibition, National Art Museum of China, Beijing; Ningbo Art Museum, Ningbo; Zhejiang Art Museum, Hangzhou; Shanghai Art Museum, Shanghai, China

1999

Jiang Baolin's Ink Art Travelling Exhibition, Zhejiang Academy of Painting, Hangzhou; National Art Museum of China, Beijing; Shandong Art Museum, Jinan; Yantai Painting Academy, Yantai, China
Jiang Baolin's Ink Art Exhibition, National Art Museum of China, Beijing, China
Solo Exhibition, Vermont Studio Center, Vermont, USA

1996

The Art World of Jiang Baolin, Gongpyeong Art Center, Seoul, South Korea

1994

Jiang Baolin, Alisan Fine Arts, Hong Kong

1991

Jiang Baolin Painting Exhibition, Verlag Rommerskirchen Publishing House, Bonn, Germany
Jiang Baolin Painting Exhibition, Red Pagoda, Paris, France

1989

Jiang Baolin Ink Painting Exhibition, Mingren Art Gallery, Kaohsiung, Taiwan

1988

Jiang Baolin Ink Solo Exhibition, Lungmen Art Gallery, Taipei, Taiwan

1987

Jiang Baolin Painting Exhibition, Chinese Painting Research Institute (now China National Academy of Painting), Beijing, China

SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2026

Tradition Renewed: Contemporary Literati Masters, Alisan Fine Arts, Hong Kong

2025

Drawing on the Past to Transform the Present: Jiang Baolin's Modern Ink Exhibition, Fengqiao Three Sages Hall, Zhuji, China

2024

A New Chapter in Ink Brush: Invitational Exhibition of Chinese Painting Studies, National Museum of China, Beijing, China
Academic Symposium and Nomination Exhibition on Contemporary Spirit and Linguistic Innovation in Landscape Painting, China National Academy of Painting, Beijing, China

2023

Country and People: Academic Invitational Exhibition of Chinese Painting in the New Era, Shanghai Haipai Art Museum, Shanghai, China
Five Stars of the East: International Exhibition Celebrating 30th Anniversary of China National Society for Promotion of Arts and Culture, Beijing Exhibition Hall, Beijing, China
Celebrating the Belt and Road Initiative: 10th Anniversary, National Museum of China, Beijing, China

2022

13th China Art Festival: National Exhibition of Outstanding Artworks, National Art Museum of China, Beijing, China
Celebrating the 20th CPC National Congress, Beauty in the New Era: Masterpieces from the Collection of National Art Museum of China, National Art Museum of China, Beijing, China

2021

Long River: Art Exhibition on the Theme of Yellow River Culture, China National Academy of Painting, Beijing, China

2020

A Mentor's Heart, Remembering the Master: Jiang Baolin's Chinese Painting and Calligraphy, Pan Tianshou Memorial Hall, Hangzhou, China

2019

Never Forget the Origin, Tribute to the New Era: Celebrating 70th Anniversary of the People's Republic of China, Guangtong Art Museum, Beijing, China

2018

Gentle Breeze and Pingshan: 5th Hangzhou Chinese Painting Biennial, Zhejiang Art Museum, Hangzhou, China
Calligraphy and Painting Exhibition by 4 Senior Artists, Prince Gong's Palace, Beijing, China

2017

Group Exhibition, King's College Chapel, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK

2016

Special Exhibition of Jiang Baolin's Calligraphy and Painting, Renmin University of China, Beijing, China
Exhibition of Li Keran's School, Zhongshan Park, Beijing, China
11th National Exhibition of Outstanding Artworks of China, Shaanxi Province Art Museum, Xian, China

2010

Crossing the Horizon: Contemporary Chinese Art Exhibition, National Museum of Art, Santiago, Chile

2009-2014

Chinese Ink Series: Overseas Travelling Exhibition, China Cultural Center in Paris, France; Museum of the Orient, Lisbon, Portugal; Rotunda of Contemporary Art, Abidjan, Ivory Coast (West Africa); Conde Duque Cultural Centre, Madrid, Spain; Royal College of Art, London, UK; Hungarian Agricultural Museum, Budapest, Hungary

2005

2nd Beijing International Art Biennial, National Art Museum of China, Beijing, China

2004

10th National Art Exhibition in China, National Art Museum of China, Beijing, China

2003

1st Beijing International Art Biennial, National Art Museum of China, Beijing, China
The Dawn of the East: 20th Century Chinese Painting, Palais de Chaillot, Paris, France

2002

A Journey Through China: Taihang Mountains, National Art Museum of China, Beijing, China
Outstanding Contemporary Chinese Paintings: 1st Zhejiang Contemporary Chinese Painting Exhibition, CPPCC Auditorium, Beijing, China

2001

Zhejiang Academy of Painting Exhibition, Zhejiang Exhibition Hall, Hangzhou; National Art Museum of China, Beijing; Shanghai Art Museum, Shanghai, China
1901-2001 A Century of Chinese Painting, National Art Museum of China, Beijing, China
Ink Charm, International Ink Painting Academic Invitational Exhibition: 3rd Chinese Calligraphy and Painting Festival, Shanghai Art Museum, Shanghai, China

1999

9th National Art Exhibition in China, National Art Museum of China, Beijing, China

1998

Ink Brush: Modern Chinese Ink Painting, Malmö Art Museum, Malmö, Sweden

1997

Contemporary Chinese Painting Exhibition: Celebrating Hong Kong's Return to the Motherland, Exhibition Center of Shanghai Library East, Shanghai; Tianjin Art Museum, Tianjin; National Art Museum of China, Beijing, China

1996

International Asian Art Fair, Alisan Fine Arts, New York, USA

1994

8th National Art Exhibition in China, National Art Museum of China, Beijing, China

1992

26th Monte Carlo International Exhibition of Modern Painting, Winter Sports Club, Monte Carlo, Monaco

1990

Landscapes, Figures, Flowers & Birds: Variation from China, Alisan Fine Arts, Hong Kong Arts Centre, Hong Kong

1989

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

1988

1st '88 Beijing International Ink Painting Exhibition, China National Academy of Painting Exhibition Hall, Beijing, China

1983

Group Exhibition of Calligraphy and Painting, Central Academy of Fine Arts, Beijing, China

1977

National Art Exhibition Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the People's Liberation Army, National Art Museum of China, Beijing, China

SELECTED SYMPOSIUM & ACADEMIC EXCHANGES
2023 Attended a meeting between former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and artists
2019 Attended Decoding Paintings: Documentary Exhibition of Chinese Painting and Ink Brush, Hong Kong Central Library, Hong Kong
Lectured "On Brushwork", International Symposium "The Study of Brushwork: The Paradigm and Significance of Literati Painting in Modern Times", China Academy of Art, Hangzhou, China
2017 Lectured "What is Brush and Ink?", "Academic Forum on the Intrinsic Language and Future Prospects of Chinese Painting", curated and moderated by Jin Shangyi, Diplomatic Office Building, Beijing, China
2016 Lectured, The Modernity of Ink Language: From Huang Binhong to Jiang Baolin, Renmin University of China, Beijing, China
2014 Travelled to Hungary, Austria, and the Czech Republic for artistic exchanges and exhibitions
2013 Attended the exhibition Ink and China: Masterpieces of Chinese Painting in the UK, Royal Academy of Arts, London, UK
Travelled to Côte d'Ivoire, Africa, to attend Exploring West Africa: Exhibition of Contemporary Chinese Painting Masterpieces, celebrating the anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Côte d'Ivoire
2010 Invited by Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs to visit Singapore, the Philippines, and Namibia
1999 Invited by Vermont International Art Center to travel to the US to create paintings, engage in exchanges, participate in exhibitions, and conduct research for more than two months

SELECTED COMMISSIONS
2022 Large-scale lotus painting, Ningbo International Conference Centre, Ningbo, China
2009 Landscape paintings, Chinese Embassy in South Africa; Chinese Embassy in Namibia, South Africa
2004 Large-scale landscape painting, Mao Zedong Memorial Hall, Beijing, China
2001 Large-scale landscape painting, Great Hall of the People, Beijing, China

SELECTED AWARDS
2024 Named Outstanding Artist, Inaugural Forbes China Cultural Figures Selection, China
2023 Received honorary certificate from Boao Forum for Asia, Beijing, China
2022 Selected, 13th China Art Festival: National Exhibition of Outstanding Artworks, National Art Museum of China, Beijing, China
2017 Silver Willow Leaf Award, Cambridge Xu Zhimo Poetry and Art Festival, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
1999 Freeman Foundation First Prize for Artistic Creation, Vermont Studio Center, Vermont, USA
Silver Award, 9th National Art Exhibition in China, Beijing, China
1994 Selected, 8th National Art Exhibition in China, Beijing, China
1992 Government Prize (Interbational Award), 26th Monte Carlo International Painting Grand Prix, Monaco
1989 Selected, 7th National Art Exhibition in China, Beijing, China
1988 Outstanding Award, 1st '88 Beijing International Ink Painting Exhibition, China National Academy of Painting Exhibition Hall, Beijing, China
1977 Selected, National Art Exhibition Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the People's Liberation Army, National Art Museum of China, Beijing, China

SELECTED COLLECTIONS
Great Hall of the People, Beijing, China
Chairman Mao Memorial Hall, Beijing, China
Qinzheng Hall of Zhongnanhai, Beijing, China
General Office of the State Council, Beijing, China
National Art Museum of China, Beijing, China
China National Academy of Arts, Beijing, China
Central Academy of Fine Arts, Beijing, China
China Academy of Art, Hangzhou, China
Tianjin Museum, Tianjin, China
Jiangsu Art Museum, Nanjing, China
Hong Kong Heritage Museum, Hong Kong

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
2025 Ink and Modernity: Jiang Baolin's Modern Ink Research Exhibition, Shanghai Haipai Art Museum, Shanghai, China
2021 Jiang Baolin Art Exhibition, Chongqing Art Museum, Chongqing, China
2016 Alisan Fine Arts 35 Years, gallery monograph, Alisan Fine Arts, Hong Kong
2003 Jiang Baolin's Art World, Tianjin People's Fine Arts Publishing House, Tianjin, China
2000 A Mentor's Heart: The Inheritance and Innovation of Chinese Ink Painting, Zhejiang People's Fine Arts Publishing House, Hangzhou, China
Contemporary Chinese Painters Series: Jiang Baolin, Hebei Education Press, Shijiazhuang, China
1996 Jiang Baolin's Art World, Gongpyeong Art Center, Seoul, South Korea
1994 Jiang Baolin, Alisan Fine Arts, Hong Kong
1991 Signed Exhibition Catalogue of Jiang Baolin, Limited Edition, Romanskich Publishing House, Germany
1990 Landscapes, Figures, Flowers & Birds: Variation from China, Alisan Fine Arts, Hong Kong
1989 Modern Chinese Paintings: A Selection from Beijing, Hangzhou and Sichuan, Alisan Fine Arts, Hong Kong
Jiang Baolin Ink Painting Exhibition, Kaohsiung, Taiwan