The Los Angeles Fine Art Show: Historic & Traditional welcomes a special exhibition honoring the history and tradition of the arts in China. Classic Collection of Buddhist Paintings, a retrospective of the works by master brush painter Xia Jingshan, accompanied by a selection of works from his preeminent student Tong Hongsheng, will be juxtaposed with the installation of a reading room from a Qing Dynasty house. The 7,000 square foot China Pavilion closes the show's multi-year focus on China, a powerhouse in both traditional and contemporary arts.

The China Pavilion provides a rare opportunity to view traditional Chinese arts in an immersive environment. Much of what has been deemed traditional Chinese art in the West was created centuries ago. Classic Collection of Buddhist Paintings showcases the works of a living master and an art form that, while deeply rooted in tradition, has significantly influenced, and is wholly a part of modern China. These works provide a bridge between China's historical past at the Los Angeles Fine Art Show: Historic & Traditional and its future at the LA Art Show: Modern & Contemporary.

Qing Dynasty Reading Room: The Gateway to China
Visitors will begin their China Pavilion experience in the Qing Dynasty reading room of Jiang Bin, a well-known imperial physician in Wuyuan City: a city containing the most historic and original buildings in China. The reading room was the place within the home where paintings would have been on display. Paired with the paintings, books, and intricate carvings, the reading room takes visitors back in time to experience the traditional atmosphere of Chinese art.

This reading room is an example of Ming & Qing Dynasty architecture in Anhui province. Chinese architecture reached its pinnacle of style and technology during this era. Houses during this time period embodied Chinese philosophy, with an emphasis on harmony, symmetry, and beauty. Made entirely of wood with interlocking joints, these houses contained many woodcarvings, often representing ideas that were seminal to Chinese philosophy. The carvings may represent the owner's aspirations, for example, a bat represents prosperity, while the pomegranate represents fertility, and the peach symbolizes longevity.

Traditional Buddhist Art & Its Impact on Modern Artistic Traditions
The history of Chinese art is tightly linked with the development of Buddhist devotional paintings. The spread of this religion into China catalyzed many new ideas and modes of artistic expression.

Classic Collection of Buddhist Paintings is a retrospective of 76 works by Master brush painter Xia Jingshan. Jingshan began studying traditional Chinese scroll painting at age 16, but it wasn't until he was 28, under the tutelage of rabbi Nanting, that Xia Jingshan began what would become a life-long focus on Buddhist art.

For Additional information please review our press release on this program.