This year marks the 120th anniversary of the birth of esteemed artist Fu Baoshi. To honor this momentous occasion, the Silicon Valley Asian Art Center has organized a special exhibition and lecture on October 5, titled “To the Vast and the Refined.”

During the lecture, Shu Jianhua, the director of the Silicon Valley Asian Art Center, will delve into the connections between Zhang Shuqing, Fu Junfu, Hou Beiren, and Fu Baoshi. The materials for this presentation have been curated from the families of Zhang, Fu Junfu, and Hou Beiren. Following his talk, the center’s advisor, Pang Hui, will join via Zoom to share insights from his biography of Fu Baoshi. Additionally, Hu Zhiliang, the author of “The Biography of Fu Baoshi,” will discuss the creative process behind his work. The event will also feature artist Liang Liqing, who will reflect on his experiences at the Fu Baoshi Painting Academy in Jiangxi. Attendees can look forward to viewing over 20 works and documents, including paintings by Fu Baoshi and contributions from family members and friends such as Zhang Shuqing, Fu Junfu, and Hou Beiren, as well as works by successors like Li Shan and Liang Liqing.

Shu Jianhua highlights Fu Baoshi (October 5, 1904 – September 29, 1965) as an extraordinary figure in 20th-century Chinese painting. Despite being born into a poor family of a bamboo umbrella maker in Nanchang, Jiangxi, Fu’s challenging beginnings only fueled his artistic development. Through determination and the opportunities afforded to him during his lifetime, Fu rose to prominence as a seal carver and art historian by his thirties and gained recognition as a painter in his forties. He became known for his rich and romantic interpretations of pre-Qin Chu and Song traditions while also blending Western influences into his portraits and landscapes.

His signature brushwork, referred to as “Baoshi Cuan,” introduced new textures to Chinese painting, capturing the aspirations and emotions of noble scholars and elegant women. His grand yet delicate landscapes expanded the horizons of traditional Chinese art and established him as a master in his own right.

The exhibition will display two figurative paintings by Fu Baoshi’s son, Fu Xiaoshi, alongside a landscape by another son, Fu Ershi. Fu Ershi’s painting depicts a noble scholar reclining in a solitary boat, contemplating a profound motto: “What matters to emperors is but a fleeting glance; where lies the true realm of the universe?” This quote pays homage to the famed Ming dynasty painter Cheng Sui, a favorite of Fu Baoshi. Additionally, attendees will see “Viewing the Waterfall,” created in 1977 by Fu Baoshi’s daughter, Fu Yiyao, celebrated for its vigorous brushwork that reflects the family’s artistic legacy. There’s also a 2007 piece by Li Shan, a Chinese-American artist who studied under Fu Baoshi at the Nanjing Academy of Art, titled “Watching Chess from the Water Pavilion,” which serves as an homage to Fu Baoshi’s iconic works. Furthermore, Liang Liqing, a teacher from the Fu Baoshi Painting Academy who later relocated to San Jose, contributed six pieces to a series called “In Tribute to Fu Baoshi,” utilizing separation, collage, and diverse combinations in his techniques.

The lecture will be held both in-person and online, with the Zoom ID set at 864 120 9030 and the passcode 3777. The exhibition is located at 3777 Stevens Creek Blvd., Suite 400, Santa Clara, CA 95051.