Qi Baishi exhibition opens at the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco

Rare Qi Baishi ink paintings arrive in the United States for the first time

The Asian Art Museum in San Francisco is presenting Qi Baishi: Inspiration in Ink, an exhibition featuring 42 works on paper by Chinese ink painter Qi Baishi (1864–1957). Opening on December 12, 2024, and running until April 7, 2025, the exhibition marks the 160th anniversary of the artist’s birth. The artworks are on loan from the Beijing Fine Art Academy, where Qi served as the first honorary director. This event marks the first presentation of these works in the United States.

Qi Baishi was born during the late Qing Dynasty and lived through significant political and cultural transformations in China. Initially trained as a carpenter, he turned to art and became one of China’s most commercially successful and celebrated painters. His ink paintings often depicted everyday objects, natural elements, and creatures such as shrimp and crabs. His use of bold brushstrokes and semi-abstract forms combined traditional Chinese ink art with modernist techniques, revitalizing the medium for contemporary audiences.

Little ghost scratching Zhong Kui's Back, 1926 by Qi Baishi. Lent from the Beijing Fine Art Academy Collection. Photograph © Beijing Fine Art Academy — Little ghost scratching Zhong Kui’s Back, 1926 by Qi Baishi. Lent from the Beijing Fine Art Academy Collection. Photograph © Beijing Fine Art Academy

Old Yet Strong by Qi Baishi. Lent from the Beijing Fine Art Academy Collection. Photograph © Beijing Fine Art Academy — Little ghost scratching Zhong Kui’s Back, 1926 by Qi Baishi. Lent from the Beijing Fine Art Academy Collection. Photograph © Beijing Fine Art Academy

Qi’s influence extended beyond China. He was the first Chinese artist to have a solo exhibition at the de Young Memorial Museum in San Francisco in 1960. His paintings have fetched high prices at international auctions, including $141 million in 2017 for Twelve Landscape Screens (1925). Qi also contributed to art education, serving as a mentor to figures like Japanese-American artist and architect Isamu Noguchi. Scholars attribute his legacy to his ability to make traditional ink painting more accessible and innovative.

15 Peaches by Qi Baishi. Lent from the Beijing Fine Art Academy Collection. Photograph © Beijing Fine Art Academy — Peaches by Qi Baishi. Lent from the Beijing Fine Art Academy Collection. Photograph © Beijing Fine Art Academy

14 Pumpkins by Qi Baishi. Lent from the Beijing Fine Art Academy Collection. Photograph © Beijing Fine Art Academy — Peaches by Qi Baishi. Lent from the Beijing Fine Art Academy Collection. Photograph © Beijing Fine Art Academy

The exhibition includes interactive features that allow visitors to engage with Qi’s techniques and personal history. Digital stations provide opportunities for guests to simulate brushstrokes in Qi’s style. Replicas of letters written by the artist to patrons and friends offer additional insights into his life and work. The museum’s programming will also include related events and activities.

The Asian Art Museum, located in San Francisco, houses a collection of over 20,000 Asian artworks. Its exhibitions and public programs provide educational and cultural experiences for a diverse audience. Further information on Qi Baishi: Inspiration in Ink and associated events can be found on the museum’s website.