On September 12, 2026, the 7th China (Suzhou) International Pastel Biennial officially opened at the Ming Art Museum on Ligongdi in the Suzhou Industrial Park. As a premier event in the domestic and international pastel art community, this year's Biennial has brought together over 50 renowned artists from home and abroad, with a special invitation extended to eight international pastel artists to attend the exhibition in person. It comprehensively showcases the unique charm and contemporary spirit of pastel art from multiple perspectives. The exhibition not only delivers a visual feast for the audience but also serves as a vital platform for exchange and mutual learning between Chinese and international pastel art.
Meticulously curated and rigorously selected, this year's Biennial features a total of 73 exquisite pastel works by Chinese and international artists. These works encompass a rich variety of subjects and diverse styles, spanning portraiture, landscapes, still life, and other artistic genres. In terms of technique, the exhibited pieces not only inherit the delicate, soft texture and unique color expressiveness of traditional pastel painting, but also boldly integrate the innovative expressions and diverse perspectives of contemporary art. Each work fully demonstrates the inclusive and progressive vitality of pastel art, allowing viewers to trace its evolutionary trajectory from tradition to modernity. On the opening day, special cultural performances such as Kunqu Opera were also presented on-site, integrating the traditional literary and artistic forms of the Jiangnan region into the international pastel exhibition and vividly showcasing a unique artistic landscape where tradition meets modernity and the East blends with the West.
On the morning of the opening day, a high-level international pastel symposium was held concurrently in the multi-function hall on the first floor of the Ming Art Museum. The symposium focused on core issues such as the exchange, mutual learning, and innovative development of pastel art between China and the rest of the world. Renowned pastel artists from home and abroad gathered to engage in in-depth dialogues and intellectual exchanges. Drawing on their own creative experiences, the participating experts shared cutting-edge artistic concepts and the latest academic research findings. This symposium not only provided valuable academic support for the exchange and dissemination of the domestic pastel art sector, but also injected new ideas and momentum into the high-quality development of pastel art, further enhancing China's influence and voice in the international academic community of pastel art.
Beyond the high-quality display of static artworks, this year's Biennial places great emphasis on the importance of Sino-foreign artistic exchange, pastel art promotion, and educational practice. During the event, the organizers have meticulously planned a rich array of supporting programs. These include the "Paint Around" pastel salon performance featuring joint participation by Chinese and international artists, as well as a masterclass co-led by Italian artist Giovanni and Chinese artist Wu Jinghan, providing pastel enthusiasts with a rare opportunity to learn master techniques up close. Furthermore, the promotion of pastel art has extended to school campuses. In Beijing, international masters such as Russian artist Olga, Spanish artist Aurelio, and Canadian artist Andrew will visit schools to conduct masterclasses and bring pastel art into campus programs. This series of supporting events not only brings a rich and immersive artistic experience to pastel enthusiasts but also builds a broader platform for Sino-foreign pastel exchange.
Since the inaugural exhibition in 2014, the China (Suzhou) International Pastel Biennial project has spanned twelve years. With strong support from the government and relevant art institutions, the Ming Art Museum has continuously built and refined the dissemination system for Chinese pastel art, committed to bringing pastel art to the public and encouraging more people to actively engage in its research, creation, and promotion. Over the years, the museum has successively curated and hosted the 1st China Pastel Art Festival, the French Pastel Invitation Exhibition, the Spanish Pastel Invitation Exhibition, and a series of international pastel exchange events such as "A Century of Pastels, Glory to China." These initiatives have built an important bridge for communication and mutual learning between Chinese and international pastel art, making Suzhou a key landmark for international pastel art exchange.
It is reported that the 7th China (Suzhou) International Pastel Biennial is co-organized by the Ming Art Museum, the Yuanrong Art Center, and China Pastel Network (CPN). The exhibition will be open to the public free of charge from today until October 11, with the museum closed on Mondays. The organizers cordially invite art enthusiasts and the general public to visit the exhibition on Ligongdi in the Suzhou Industrial Park to experience up close the unique charm and profound heritage of pastel art.