Menu
In celebration of the 130th anniversary of Xu Beihong’s birth in 2025—and with 2026 marking the Year of the Horse—China and Japan proudly present a special international event: the “China-Japan Youth & Children’s Original Art Exhibition – In Commemoration of Xu Beihong.”
Jointly organized by the Xu Beihong Cultural and Art Center (Shenzhen) and the Reiwa Japan-China Cultural & Art Exchange Association, with strong support from the Kyoto City Government, Japan-China Friendship Associations in Osaka and Kyoto, and co-organized by Toto Co., Ltd. / Qiming Art School and the Kyoto City International Foundation, this exhibition bridges cultures through the power of youth creativity.
Open to participants from preschool to adulthood, the event features six age-based categories—encouraging young artists to express originality, emotion, and imagination through art.
Xu Beihong was born in 1895. The year 2025 marks the 130th anniversary of his birth, coinciding with the 2026 Lunar Year of the Fire Horse. With official support from the Kyoto Municipal Government, Osaka Japan-China Friendship Association (NPO), and Kyoto Japan-China Friendship Association, this exhibition is jointly organized by the Shenzhen Xu Beihong Culture & Arts Center (Chinese host), Reiwa Japan-China Cultural Exchange Association (Japanese host), Qiming Art Academy of Tohaku Corporation (executive organizer), and Kyoto International Exchange Association (co-organizer). The competition features six age divisions, from preschoolers to adults.
In 1917, recommended by Kang Youwei, Xu Beihong traveled to Japan for study, where he befriended master artists like Nakahara Fusetsu and Ozaki Seiji. This experience laid the foundation for his subsequent studies in France and travels to India, while also enabling him to recommend artists like Fu Baoshi to study in Japan. After WWII, Xu dedicated himself to promoting Sino-Japanese friendship and cultural exchange.
As a foundational figure of modern Chinese painting, Xu Beihong devoted his life to art. His style blended Eastern ink-wash essence with Western techniques, excelling in portraits and landscapes, particularly renowned for his horse paintings.
Today, the “Xu Beihong Spirit” remains profoundly relevant – transcending from “self” to “community,” and from “nation” to “world.” His enduring pursuit of peace and art continues to inspire, leaving us priceless cultural legacy.
*(Key features:
The Japanese art world’s admiration for Xu Beihong and other modern Chinese artists has remained unwavering for over a century. Numerous Japanese art associations, academic institutions, and museums have directly or indirectly hosted cultural events honoring Xu Beihong’s legacy.
Building on this tradition while breaking new ground, this competition marks the first dual commemoration of both Xu Beihong’s 130th birth anniversary and the centennial of his Japan study journey. Leveraging the strong foundation of previous Xu Beihong International Youth Art Competitions, we integrate distinctive Chinese and Japanese cultural elements to create new significance for this edition.
Our mission is:
The Xu Beihong Centennial Art Exhibition is open to both painting and calligraphy submissions, with no restrictions on artistic techniques or materials. All qualified two-dimensional artworks are welcome to participate. This year’s competition theme, “Dialogue Through Art,” encourages participants to explore various interpretations – from personal connections with family and friends to broader perspectives on nature and society, or any other creative approach that reflects meaningful artistic exchange.
The judging process consists of two stages. The first round is a free online evaluation with no entry barriers, where selected participants will receive digital certificates and qualify for the final round. In the second stage, original artworks will be evaluated in person by our judging panel. Final winners will be awarded physical certificates, commemorative medals, and have their works featured in the exhibition catalog. This two-tier system ensures fair evaluation while providing meaningful recognition for outstanding artworks.
The theme “Dialogue Through Art” (originally “与你对画” in Chinese) cleverly plays on the dual meaning of artistic creation and interpersonal communication. It honors Xu Beihong’s legacy of cultural exchange while encouraging contemporary artists to engage in creative dialogues through their work. Participants are invited to interpret this theme in ways that are personally meaningful, whether through intimate personal narratives or universal artistic explorations.
The competition will culminate in an outstanding works exhibition held at the Kyoto International Community House in early February 2026, lasting for one week, alongside the award ceremony. All participants are welcome to attend, with awards presented by the competition judges and representatives from relevant organizations.
Simultaneously, a series of engaging events will be organized, including the “Japanese Art Study Tour” and “Master Art Open Classes by Japanese Artists,” among other enriching activities. These initiatives aim to provide participants with diverse, innovative, and culturally inspiring artistic experiences.
