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In commemoration of the 130th anniversary of Xu Beihong’s birth and in celebration of the upcoming Year of the Horse (Bingwu) in 2026, the Outstanding Works Exhibition and Award Ceremony of the “Xu Beihong 130th Anniversary Commemoration – Sino-Japanese Youth & Children’s Original Art Exhibition” was held on February 7, 2026, at the Kyoto International Community House. The event was jointly organized by the Xu Beihong Culture and Art Center and the General Incorporated Association Reiwa Japan-China Cultural and Arts Exchange Association, with support from the Kyoto City International Foundation. It was operated by Qiming Art Academy (Toyo Sugyo Co., Ltd.), and received official endorsement from the Kyoto City Government, the Osaka-fu Japan-China Friendship Association (NPO), and the Kyoto Prefecture Japan-China Friendship Association.
Since its launch in the summer of 2025, the competition ran for five months and received registrations from over 2,800 young artists from Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Europe, and the Americas. The submitted works encompassed more than ten art forms, including oil painting, watercolor, printmaking, sketching, calligraphy, and digital painting. Following a rigorous evaluation by the jury, over 1,800 pieces were recognized with awards, including the Sakura Horse Grand Prize (First Prize), Quasi-Grand Prize (Second Prize), Excellence Award (Third Prize), Special Award, and Honorable Mention. All shortlisted participants will receive a specially designed original medal, an award certificate, and a commemorative collection of outstanding works prepared by the organizing committee.
The award ceremony officially commenced at 10:30 a.m. Distinguished guests in attendance included Mr. Teng Fei, Ms. Lu Peng, and Mr. Ma Qingshi, who attended on behalf of Mr. Zhang Wenchang, Director of the Xu Beihong Culture and Art Center; Ms. Zhang Yuanyuan, representative of the Reiwa Japan-China Cultural and Arts Exchange Association; Ms. Shigaru Orena, representative of the Kyoto City International Foundation; Mr. Iwata Noriyuki, representative of the Osaka-fu Japan-China Friendship Association; Mr. Machino Satoru, representative of the Kyoto Prefecture Japan-China Friendship Association; Professor Akagi Norihiro from Yokohama National University; Associate Professor Shiomi Takahiko from Kyoto University of the Arts; Mr. Sun Guang, representative of the Kyoto International Arts and Culture Exchange Center; and Ms. Han Xiao, Principal of Qiming Art Academy. The event was also witnessed by numerous Japanese student representatives and art enthusiasts.
Following the speeches, the guests jointly cut the ribbon for the exhibition and presented the awards to the winning artists. Among the presentations, Mr. Sun Guang awarded the Honorable Mentions, Mr. Iwata Noriyuki presented the Special Awards, Associate Professor Shiomi Takahiko gave out the Excellence Awards (Third Prize), and Professor Akagi Norihiro awarded the Quasi-Grand Prize (Second Prize). The Sakura Horse Grand Prize (First Prize) was presented by category, with Mr. Teng Fei, Ms. Zhang Yuanyuan, and Ms. Han Xiao each overseeing different groups. The Mentor Award for Excellence in Aesthetic Education was presented by Mr. Machino Satoru.
After the awards ceremony, guests and attendees toured the Outstanding Works Exhibition on the second floor of the venue. The exhibition will run through February 8, alongside a series of public benefit activities including “Master Art Open Classes” and “Art Study Tours at Prestigious Academies,” offering young art enthusiasts a platform for learning and exchange.
This exhibition is not only an artistic celebration honoring Mr. Xu Beihong, but also a window through which young people from different countries express their creativity and build friendships through art. The organizing committee stated that it will continue to establish more open and equitable platforms for artistic exchange, encouraging the younger generation to innovate while honoring tradition and to grow through cross-cultural dialogue—allowing the “Xu Beihong Spirit” to radiate new brilliance in the contemporary era.
Xu Beihong’s life was deeply intertwined with the fate and rise of his nation. He embodied great patriotism, selfless dedication, relentless artistic innovation, and a keen eye for nurturing talent. His legacy reflects an unwavering spirit of independence, moral integrity, and enduring inspiration. (Engraved in the central hall of the Beijing Xu Beihong Memorial Hall)
Xu Beihong was a leading Chinese artist and art educator, known as the “Father of Modern Chinese Painting.” He was the first president of the Central Academy of Fine Arts and chairman of the China Artists Association. His works, including Tian Heng and His Five Hundred Followers 《田横五百士》, Waiting for the Deliverer 《徯我后》, and The Foolish Old Man Removes the Mountains 《愚公移山》, laid the foundation for modern Chinese oil painting with their unique blend of Chinese style and Western technique.
He believed art should reflect real life and combined Chinese traditions with Western methods to create a new, influential style. Xu Beihong not only produced many masterpieces but also trained a generation of outstanding artists, shaping China’s modern art education system. His efforts promoted Chinese art worldwide, leaving a lasting legacy.