Quanhua Watercolour Art Gallery
The Architecture of Quan Hua Watercolor Art Museum
The Quan Hua Watercolor Art Museum is located at No. 121 Xijing Street, Zhujiajiao Town, Qingpu District, Shanghai, right next to Kezhi Garden. It was originally the residence of the wealthy Ma Wenqing family in Zhujiajiao.
The entrance features a brick-carved gateway, with the inscription “Shu Xin Lan Fang” (“Fragrance of Books, Grace of Orchids”). The structure uses six sets of decorative brackets and hanging carved pillars in imitation of traditional wooden construction, appearing both refined and elegant. The phrase symbolizes a scholarly family atmosphere, noble character, and the refined fragrance of orchids—an expression of the family’s cultural ideals and values. Such inscriptions were not only decorative but also declarations of spirit, reflecting the family’s respect for culture, education, and moral integrity. On either side of the gate stand a pair of stone lions with a gentle and endearing appearance.
The gable walls of the museum are adorned with Guanyin dou (ornamental motifs named after the Bodhisattva Guanyin). With flowing lines, they convey a sense of grace and symbolize family harmony, prosperity of descendants, and, by folk belief, blessings for peace and favorable weather.
Inside, the museum contains three small courtyards. Each is surrounded by two-story walls or corridors, planted with climbing vines or potted bamboo, furnished with stone tables and stools, and paved with cobblestones—creating a quiet and contemplative atmosphere. In two of the courtyards, corridors on both the first and second floors wrap around three sides, decorated with wan-shaped railing patterns and ornamental panels. These transitional spaces between indoors and outdoors bring both continuity and variety, offering a changing spatial experience as one moves through the complex.
Rooms connected by these corridors now serve as exhibition halls, activity rooms, or offices, giving each space its own distinct function while preserving the unity of the whole.
Quan Hua Watercolor Art Museum – Origins and Collection Highlights
The Quan Hua Watercolor Art Museum, located at No. 121 Xijing Street in Zhujiajiao, Qingpu District, Shanghai, was founded in June 2006. It is the only non-profit private art museum in China dedicated exclusively to the collection and exhibition of classic works of contemporary watercolor painting. The museum was established by internationally renowned watercolor artist Chen Xidan, with the mission of promoting Chinese watercolor creation and exhibitions, while also serving as a platform for global artistic exchange and development.
The guiding principle of the museum is “to gather masterpieces of watercolor and promote distinguished watercolor artists,” in line with China’s “Two Orientations” and “Double Hundred” policies in the arts. Since its founding, the museum has organized solo exhibitions for more than ten leading contemporary watercolor painters, including Chen Xidan, Lei Yu, Wang Weixin, Zhou Gang, Gong Yu, and Yang Yihui, as well as joint exhibitions of watercolor societies from Shanghai and Shenzhen. The collection focuses mainly on works by contemporary masters, featuring both local artists from Zhujiajiao and well-known painters from Shanghai, offering visitors a high level of artistic appreciation.
Chen Xidan’s original intention in creating the museum stemmed from his deep reflection on the development of Chinese watercolor. He observed that many outstanding works had flowed abroad, while at home there was a lack of dedicated venues for display and appreciation. By founding this museum in Zhujiajiao, a historic water town, he not only filled the gap of China lacking a professional watercolor institution but also gave symbolic meaning to the interplay of “water” and “color,” making the museum a new landmark of Chinese watercolor art.
Beyond showcasing watercolor achievements, the museum has contributed to the cultural and tourism vitality of Zhujiajiao, enhancing its environment as a destination that combines history, culture, and art. It also serves as the curating institution of the Shanghai Zhujiajiao International Watercolor Biennale—the world’s only biennale dedicated solely to watercolor painting. This event attracts artists from many countries and has greatly advanced the internationalization of Chinese watercolor art.
The establishment of the Quan Hua Watercolor Art Museum not only offers Chinese audiences the opportunity to appreciate classic watercolor works but also provides a platform for artists worldwide to exchange and exhibit. As a representative institution of watercolor art in China, the museum plays a vital role in the promotion and development of this unique artistic medium.
Zhujiajiao in Watercolor
When brush and ink meet the water town, they unfold a poetic chapter that spans over thirteen years. “Zhujiajiao in Watercolor” presents more than twenty precious works by artist Chen Xidan, guiding viewers into a dreamlike journey through the seasons and daily rhythms of Jiangnan. Created between 2006 and 2019, these paintings are not only visual works but also heartfelt imprints left by the artist on the stone-paved streets and waterways of Zhujiajiao—written with the pen of the heart and the ink of passing years.
The four seasons of Zhujiajiao each carry their own charm in Chen’s brushwork. In spring, tender willow shoots wrap the town in green; mist-shrouded bridges emerge faintly while boats glide across mirror-like waters, leaving rippling circles scented with blossoms. Summer brings vitality—thick canopies shield the blazing sun, blooming impatiens decorate window sills, and at the riverfront women gather to wash clothes, their laughter echoing with the current. Autumn dyes the town with warm ochres and oranges—wild chrysanthemums grow from cracks between old stones, golden sunset light gilds the whitewashed walls and black-tiled roofs, while flocks of birds fly across crimson skies. Winter, by contrast, quiets the scene—red lanterns hang beneath snow-dusted eaves, mist rises from the river, and the ancient streets exude a timeless, meditative stillness at dusk.
From dawn to midnight, the paintings capture the full rhythm of water-town life. In the early morning mist, boatmen row their vessels, startling waterbirds into flight. At noon, sunlight filters through leaves onto the flagstones in scattered patterns, accompanied by the lilting strings of storytelling from teahouses. Evening cloaks the river in golden silk as fishing boats return laden with their catch, and lanterns light up along the banks. By night, the town grows hushed—moonlight spills across the water, mingling with the glow of riverside homes, so serene one could almost hear the beat of their own heart.
With delicate strokes, Chen Xidan captures not only the daily life but also the poetic essence of Zhujiajiao. Every stone bridge, winding water alley, and riverside dwelling in his works bears his affection and deep understanding for this land. These paintings are more than a feast for the eyes—they are a vivid interpretation of water-town culture, inviting audiences to experience both the beauty of art and the profound heritage of Jiangnan. To step into this exhibition is to embark on a timeless journey through a water-town dreamscape, where brush and light reveal Zhujiajiao at its most enchanting.
Highlights of the Watercolor Collection at Quan Hua Watercolor Art Museum
The Quan Hua Watercolor Art Museum houses a rich collection of outstanding Chinese and international watercolor works. Among them is the representative piece Overlook by Álvaro Castagnet, a renowned Uruguayan watercolorist celebrated for his depictions of cityscapes and modern life. Overlook is one of his most famous works, presenting an urban scene viewed from above. With buildings and roads as its focus, the painting vividly captures the bustling atmosphere of the city. Castagnet is skilled in using the wet-on-wet technique to express light, shadow, and mood, imbuing the work with dynamism and vitality.
Another highlight is Shanghai Bun Shop by David Paskett, born in London in 1944 and a distinguished contemporary British watercolorist, who once served as President of the Royal Watercolour Society. Paskett is renowned for his detailed realism and masterful handling of light and shadow. Deeply fascinated by Chinese culture, he frequently painted everyday life scenes in China. Shanghai Bun Shop depicts a typical street-side dumpling shop in Shanghai, alive with the hustle and bustle of daily life. The work delicately captures the details of the shop and the city’s vibrant character. Through the interplay of light and color, Paskett conveys warmth and intimacy, evoking a strong sense of community and human connection. The painting not only reflects Shanghai’s traditional charm but also demonstrates the artist’s deep appreciation and understanding of Chinese culture.
The museum also holds Old Man by Guan Weixing, a representative work of the prominent contemporary Chinese watercolorist born in the 1950s and active from the late 20th to early 21st century. Guan is acclaimed for his fine realism and profound portrayal of human emotions, especially his depictions of everyday life in northern Chinese villages. Created in the 1980s, Old Man portrays an elderly rural villager. With meticulous detail, the painting conveys the simplicity and authenticity of rural life through the subject’s facial expressions and clothing. Guan’s masterful use of light and color highlights the man’s resilience and weathered character, symbolizing the strength and integrity of northern Chinese peasants. This work is widely regarded as a hallmark of Guan Weixing’s artistic style, reflecting his deep insight into the human spirit and mastery of traditional watercolor techniques.
Public Welfare Endeavors of Quan Hua Watercolor Art Museum
Quan Hua Watercolor Art Museum has long been committed to promoting social welfare, integrating art education with community service. Since 2016, the museum has organized numerous socially beneficial projects, ranging from art training and creative support to cultural exchange, and has actively participated in public welfare initiatives both in Shanghai and beyond.
In 2018, academic members of the museum donated a watercolor painting of the Song family’s historic residence to the Soong Ching Ling Foundation. That same year, the museum organized art guidance and sketching trips to Yixian (Anhui), Zhuhai, and Guangxi, actively supporting the development of local art education. In 2019, the museum continued its cooperation with the Soong Ching Ling Foundation, conducting art tutoring at several project sites and collaborating with Zou Shiming Boxing Club to create instructional illustrations of self-defense techniques for rural left-behind children.
In 2020, the museum launched an online still-life watercolor course by Wu Guoqiang, offering high-quality art training to the public. Meanwhile, it promoted children’s art education through the “Big Hands Holding Little Hands” program, where academic members engaged in art teaching at the China Welfare Institute Children’s Palace and held sketching sessions with students from Shanghai Dongzhan Primary School.
In 2021, the museum continued its “Dream Back to Zhuli” parent-child education program and strengthened its cooperation with Minhang No. 3 Middle School, Xindu Primary School, and Yibei Training School. Through sketching excursions, lectures, and workshops, the museum nurtured more watercolor enthusiasts.
From 2017 to 2023, the museum organized multiple sketching trips across Shanghai and the Yangtze River Delta, actively fostering exchange and collaboration between watercolor artists and local artists. It also successfully hosted international watercolor training camps, collaborating with masters such as Joseph Zbukvic and Herman Pekel to provide world-class artistic training.
By promoting art education while expanding its social welfare role, Quan Hua Watercolor Art Museum has become a hands-on teaching base for cultural and artistic practice in Shanghai. With art as inspiration and public welfare as its mission, the museum continues to contribute positively to society.
Chen Xidan – Personal Introduction
Chen Xidan, born in Shanghai in 1936, is a distinguished figure in the field of watercolor painting and the director of the Quanhua Watercolor Art Museum in Shanghai. He is a member of the China Artists Association, an honorary member of the Australian Watercolour Institute, a signature member of the National Watercolor Society (U.S.), and a member of the Birmingham Watercolour Society (U.K.). His achievements in watercolor art have won him recognition both in China and abroad. Beyond his own artistic practice, he has served as curator and chief juror of the Shanghai Zhujiajiao International Watercolor Biennale, and in 2014 he was appointed chief juror of the International Watercolor Competition in France.
Chen’s career in watercolor began in 1953. From his early fame in the 1950s to his creative work at the age of ninety, his artistic exploration has never ceased to deepen. His works are renowned for their vivid colors, fluid brushwork, and masterful use of the “wet-on-dry and wet-on-wet” techniques. He is especially skilled at depicting rippling water and the refraction of sunlight, often employing large soft brushes and precise color control to create unique visual effects that combine the weight of oil painting with the lyrical beauty of watercolor.
In recent years, despite his advanced age, Chen has continued to paint with passion. His recent works reveal looser brushstrokes and a stronger use of subjective colors, shifting gradually from realism to more personal and expressive styles. This evolution, shaped both by age and artistic pursuit, demonstrates his constant innovation. As a pioneer of Chinese watercolor, he has witnessed and contributed to its transformation from a minor genre into a flourishing field. Particularly through founding the Zhujiajiao International Watercolor Biennale, he has greatly advanced the international exchange of Chinese watercolor art.
In 2006, Chen established the Quanhua Watercolor Art Museum in Zhujiajiao, filling a void in China’s lack of specialized watercolor institutions. The museum not only promoted the popularization of watercolor but also infused new cultural vitality into Zhujiajiao’s tourism. He has worked tirelessly to promote Chinese watercolor on the global stage, hoping that younger generations will carry forward this mission of international exchange.
Chen’s art deeply reflects both the historical development of Chinese watercolor and his love for urban landscapes, Jiangnan water towns, and natural scenery. His depictions of Shanghai and Zhujiajiao, in particular, have become important cultural memories of the city and its ancient town. As Chen himself once said: “Turning ninety is not the end, but a new beginning of my artistic life.” His watercolors are not only a personal expression of life but also a living legacy of cultural inheritance and innovation.
