Art enthusiasts in San Francisco are getting their first glimpse of the masterpieces by one of China's most renowned painters, Qi Baishi (1864-1957), through a special exhibition at the Asian Art Museum.
The exhibition titled "Qi Baishi: Inspiration In Ink" opened in the city in mid-December 2024, to mark the 160th anniversary of the artist's birth, and will stay open until April 7, 2025.
"Qi Baishi is one of the most important Chinese artists in the 20th century, and his artworks actually created lots of auction records. Qi Baishi, actually in the 1940s, 50s, was regarded as one of the avant garde artists and very contemporary, and also [he] refashioned, revitalized Chinese traditional ink painting," said Zhang Fan, curator of Chinese Art at the Asian Art Museum.
His work is being viewed as a bridge between Chinese ink painting and Western audiences. The exhibition marks the first time the 40 works of Qi Baishi are being shown in the U.S.
Enjoying the exhibition are art enthusiasts and artists, too, like painter Gary Bukovnik.
"It makes it look like, oh, I could do that, except it takes a lifetime to know how to just make it look like it doesn't take any effort whatsoever," Bukovnik said.
Qi's ink paintings depict ordinary moments and scenes, capturing the essence of nature's beauty and the delight found in life's simplest pleasures.
Among the works on display is a painting that depicts an everyday scene of an old man sending a tearful child to school.
"I was looking at this because I was a teacher. And so I thought a youngster going to school with a parent or grandparent. It's just like so typical of the family taking the children to school and then, okay, be good and learn all you can and all that. So, education and all that is so critical," said Betty Meissner, one of the visitors.
"I like the story that he told, how he came to paint the abacus, pursuing wealth without harming others," said Sally Whitehead, another visitor, observing the painting titled "Abacus".
Artworks of Chinese painter Qi Baishi now on display in San Francisco
As the Qingming Festival approaches this Friday, various traditional folk activities have been held across China, celebrating the rich cultural heritage of the occasion.
With a 2,500-year history, Qingming Festival, or the Festival of Pure Brightness, observed in early April, uniquely combines ancestral worship with the celebration of spring. Falling on the 15th day after the spring equinox, this ritual-rich observance reflects China's enduring values of ancestral veneration and inspires deep introspection about what gives life meaning.
In Sijia Village, Huayin City, northwest China’s Shaanxi Province, a unique swing festival is held to mark the occasion. Eighteen different types of traditional swings, such as the spinning wheel swing, the Bagua swing reminiscent of a rotating carousel, and the balance swing designed for two people, have attracted many visitors.
Historically, Sijia Village served as a military post guarding the strategic Tongguan pass, a former mountain pass and fortress located south of the confluence of the Wei and Yellow Rivers. The swing tradition in the village has its origins in military training exercises like climbing and river crossing. The local swing culture further developed as regional trade flourished, eventually evolving into the "swing festival" that continues today.
"It's very exciting and tests your skill, endurance, and most importantly, your arm strength. You need to maintain balance," said Qu Xiangyang, a visitor.
In Rudong County, Nantong City, east China's Jiangsu Province, another traditional Qingming activity takes place - kite flying.
Flying kites as a way of making wishes is an age-old Qingming custom in this region. As a result, the Qingming Festival in Nantong is also known as the "Kite Festival."
The local Banyao whistling kite making skills is listed as one of the first national intangible cultural heritage items.
According to a folk culture expert, people traditionally write the names of diseases or misfortunes on paper, attach it to a kite, and release it into the sky. This practice is believed to drive away illness and disaster, while also serving as a way to make wishes.
In south China's Guangdong Province, a large tug-of-war competition is underway in Maoming City. Teams from different towns and streets are competing, attracting many locals to cheer on their teams.
Tug-of-war, which originated during the late Spring and Autumn period (770 BC - 476 BC), became part of Qingming customs during the Tang Dynasty (618-907). Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty once organized large-scale tug-of-war competitions for the festival.
"Tug-of-war became very popular in the Tang Dynasty, even emerging as the national sport. It originated in the Jingchu region and later spread across the country. In ancient Lingnan (Southern China), tug-of-war games were a common tradition. Through these events, people seek to pray for peace, prosperity, and abundant harvests," said Yao Guojun, vice dean of the College of Arts and Law, Guangdong University of Petrochemical Technology.
Traditional folk activities held for Qingming Festival
