
China Institute Gallery
100 Washington Street
New York 10006
entrance at 40 Rector St, 2nd floor
(212) 744 8181
chinainstitute.org
Hours:
Open Friday through Wednesday, 10am–5pm
Thursday 10am–8pm
Closed on major holidays, please call 212-744-8181 to verify.
Admission: $15 for general, $10 for Senior and Student, 16 and under free, Members free.
China Institute Gallery is continuously offering a vibrant virtual experience with digital access to
past exhibitions in the field of Chinese art: chinainstitute.org/virtual-gallery.

Zhu Da (1626–1705), Flowers on a River (detail), Qing dynasty, handscroll, ink on paper, 18 1/2 × 508 7/8 in. (47 × 1292.5 cm). Collection of the Tianjin Museum
Zhu Da (1626–1705), Flowers on a River (detail), Qing dynasty, handscroll, ink on paper, 18 1/2 × 508 7/8 in. (47 × 1292.5 cm). Collection of the Tianjin Museum

Wu Changshuo (1844–1927), Red Plum, 1924, hanging scroll, ink and color on paper, 61 × 33 1/8 in. (155 × 84 cm). Collection of the Tianjin Museum
Wu Changshuo (1844–1927), Red Plum, 1924, hanging scroll, ink and color on paper, 61 × 33 1/8 in. (155 × 84 cm). Collection of the Tianjin Museum

Lin Liang (circa 1416–circa 1480), Birds in a Lotus Pond, hanging scroll, ink and color on silk, 60 1/4 × 22 1/4 in. (153 × 56.4 cm). Collection of the Tianjin Museum
Lin Liang (circa 1416–circa 1480), Birds in a Lotus Pond, hanging scroll, ink and color on silk, 60 1/4 × 22 1/4 in. (153 × 56.4 cm). Collection of the Tianjin Museum
Flowers on a River: The Art of Chinese Flower and Bird Painting, 1368–1911
Masterworks from Tianjin Museum and Changzhou Museum
Open to public, March 23-June 25, 2023
Flower and bird painting is one of the three major genres of Chinese painting (the other two are figure painting and landscape painting). Over the centuries, Chinese artists transformed their observations and their love of nature into unique painting techniques and a special iconography for flower and bird painting. Flowers on a River will be the first major exhibition in the United States to systematically examine both the stylistic and cultural manifestations of this genre. Seventy items (over one hundred individual pieces) of masterworks by fifty-nine artists will present the most important works in the genre of flower and bird painting. All from the collections of the Tianjin Museum and Changzhou Museum, the paintings span over five hundred years from the Ming and Qing dynasties and cover three subjects: "Precious Plums of the Palace: Academicism and Court Artists," "Fragrant" Plums in the Wild: Literati Art, Painters, and Painting Schools," and "Vitality of Nature: Flower and Bird Painting and Social Customs." This outstanding group of paintings will introduce the Chinese concept of "humanity in harmony with nature" and reveal the importance of this genre's auspicious imagery to the daily life and social customs of the Chinese people in their eternal pursuit of the meaning of life.
Curated by: Willow Weilan Hai, Chen Zhuo, Lin Jian, and David Sensabaugh Honorary consultant: Zhang Jigang
The 7th Orchid Pavilion Gathering
Saturday April 15th, 2 to 5 pm.
Admission: $20 for general, $10 for members.
Artist Talk: "Our Observation and Feelings," a PPT presentation and lecture by three contemporary female artists: Lu Youlan, Guo Zhen and Cui Fei, followed by a reception.
Each artist will introduce their artworks and discuss their creations and relationship with nature and flower-and-bird painting.
Eventbrite LinkMusic Night for the Exhibition
Friday May 19th, 5 to 7:30 pm.
Admission: $25 for general, $15 for members.
Appreciate the masterworks in the "Flowers on a River" exhibition and experience the sound of flowers and birds through western and Chinese music.