The Sichuan Art Gallery, also known as the Sichuan Art Museum, is one of the main cultural centers of Chengdu and the entire southwestern China. It is located in the very heart of the capital of Sichuan — on the northwestern side of Tianfu Square, forming together with the Science and Technology Museum, the provincial library, and other cultural institutions a unique "cultural cluster" of the city.
This modern building, 38 meters high, whose facade is made of black-gray marble and curved glass panels, embodies the idea of the unity of tradition and modernity. Next to the gallery, on the green lawns, six sculptures are installed, making it not only an exhibition space but also an architectural landmark of Chengdu.
History of Creation
The history of the Sichuan Art Museum began in 1992, when with the support of the Union of Artists of Sichuan Province, the first specialized art exhibition space in Chengdu was built. This event became an important milestone: before that, exhibitions were held in rented halls of parks, cultural centers, and other unsuitable premises.
In 2013, the Sichuan Art Gallery acquired its current building, and the grand opening took place in May 2015. The new museum became the largest specialized art museum in southwestern China. Today the gallery continues to develop, and in 2025 it was included in the first list of state public collection institutions, which confirms its high status in the cultural life of the country.
Halls and Exhibitions
The Sichuan Art Museum occupies a total area of nearly 20,000 square meters. Inside, there are six exhibition halls, including five permanent halls and one hall for the permanent collection. The total exhibition area is about 2,646 square meters, and the length of exhibition lines reaches 613 meters. The space of the halls is designed without columns, which allows flexible organization of exhibitions using movable walls. The gallery also has a professional lecture hall of 300 square meters, designed for 200 seats, where lectures and scientific events are regularly held.
Collection and Main Authors of the Sichuan Art Gallery
Collection of Chinese Painting (Guohua)
The gallery`s funds contain priceless works of traditional Chinese painting. Here you can see works by such recognized masters as:
• Shitao and Zheng Banqiao (Qing Dynasty) — great artist-individualists whose works are distinguished by boldness and freedom of brushwork.
• Zhang Daqian (20th century) — one of the most famous Chinese artists of modern times, a native of Sichuan, whose dreamy landscapes and bright floral compositions are recognized worldwide.
• Qi Baishi and Xu Beihong — classics of modern Chinese painting, each of whom made an invaluable contribution to the development of national art.
• In addition, the museum presents works by Sichuan masters, such as Chen Zizhuang, known for his poetic bamboo scrolls.
Collection of Prints and "Shenzhou Print Museum"
Particular pride of the museum is its collection of modern Chinese and foreign prints, numbering more than 11,000 works, making it one of the best in the country in terms of quantity and quality. It was for the storage of this collection that the "Shenzhou Print Museum" was founded at the museum, which continues the traditions of the first print archive in China, created at the old museum building.
Among the works stored here are works by such outstanding masters as Li Shaoyan, Li Huanmin, Niu Wen, Lin Jun, and others. A special place is occupied by revolutionary prints of the 1930s–1940s, capturing China`s resilience during wartime.
Main Directions of Chinese Painting (Guohua)
Within the walls of the gallery, visitors can get acquainted with two main styles of traditional Chinese painting:
Gongbi (meticulous brush) — a style requiring filigree precision and attention to detail. The artist carefully paints every line, every petal or feather, often using colored inks. This style was mandatory for professional artists working at the imperial court and was distinguished by its decorativeness and richness.
Xieyi (writing the idea) — the opposite of gongbi. This is a style of "painting of mood," where the artist strives to convey not so much external similarity as the essence of the subject, its energy and spirit. Works in this style are often executed in monochrome ink, without clear outlines, with broad, free strokes. It was in this style that intellectual artists worked, writing impromptu, by intuition, under the influence of a momentary mood.
In addition to these two main styles, the gallery`s collection widely presents three classical genres of Chinese painting:
• Shanshui (landscape) — "mountains and waters," the most philosophical genre, striving to convey the harmony of man and nature.
• Huaniao ("flowers and birds") — a genre covering images of plants, birds, insects, and fish.
• Renwu hua (portrait) — the art of depicting a person, often with historical or literary subtext.
What You Should See
Special attention in the Sichuan Art Gallery deserves the section of ethnic minority art — here are presented bright Qiang and Tibetan thangkas, embroidery, and ritual masks, giving an idea of the richness of the region`s cultures. Also pay attention to the permanent exhibition of contemporary art, where you can see works by Sichuan artists working in a variety of techniques — from oil painting to installations.
Practical Information
Entry to the Sichuan Art Gallery is free upon presentation of an ID card or passport to obtain a ticket. The gallery is open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, except Monday (closed). Getting here is easy: Tianfu Guangchang metro station on lines 1 and 2, exit H or C, then a few minutes on foot.
The Sichuan Art Gallery is a place where everyone will find something for themselves. Lovers of traditional art will appreciate the works of Zhang Daqian, Qi Baishi, and other great masters. Those interested in contemporary art will find it interesting to see the works of Sichuan artists and the unique print collection. And the ethnic minority section will introduce you to the vibrant culture of the peoples inhabiting this region. Combine your visit with the neighboring museums to spend a whole day immersed in the culture of Chengdu.
