Auspicious Blooms - Sanyu and His Era

Organized by the H Foundation for the Arts and co-organized by Be An Culture LLC, the first North American exhibition of modern Chinese artist Sanyu, titled Auspicious Blooms - Sanyu and His Era, will officially open on November 6 and run for two months.

Sanyu’s work combines the essence of traditional Chinese literati painting with elements of Western modern art, creating a unique artistic style. Throughout his life, he pursued the true meaning of art, adhering to a pure creative process and remaining indifferent to fame and the commercial art market. As he famously said, “I have nothing in my life; I am simply a painter.” Sanyu led a wandering life, struggling in poverty, and for many years after his death, fell into obscurity.

In recent years, his work has regained global attention, consistently achieving remarkable results at major auctions. Several of his oil paintings have surpassed $100 million in sales, breaking records for Chinese oil painting and attracting a significant following among Chinese collectors. With only around 300 works created in his lifetime, Sanyu is now celebrated as the “Matisse of the East.” He is also the only Chinese artist in The Dictionary of Contemporary Art in France 1910-1930. Today, Sanyu stands out in the art market not only for his distinctive aesthetic and artistic style but also for a renewed appreciation of his academic and cultural significance.

Sanyu's work has been showcased numerous times in major solo and group exhibitions across France, the Netherlands, Taiwan, and other parts of Asia. However, a comprehensive presentation and promotion of his art has yet to be seen in North America, particularly on the West Coast of the United States. After over a year of negotiations with the National Museum of History in Taipei and authorized parties, our foundation is honored to bring this exhibition to California. Our goal is to showcase this Chinese artist's unique exploration of the intersection of Eastern and Western cultures to North American audiences. Through this exhibition, we aim to enhance art enthusiasts' understanding of Sanyu’s creative journey, inspire dialogue about his artistic synthesis of Chinese and Western influences, and encourage thoughtful reflections on East-West cultural exchange.