Tian XuTong

A perspicacious Chinese ink painter whose life and art are one and the same with the philosophy he depicts, Tian Xutong’s name has become synonymous with Zen for his distinctive ink paintings of sagicious monks meditating on boats in water or mountain tops insinuated by nuances of lines painted in plain, abstract space.

Tian XuTong, born in Beijing in 1962, graduated from the Central Academy of Craft and Design in 1985 with a major in ink painting. He currently serves as an associate art professor and master supervisor at Tsinghua University. Since the 90’s, he has had more than ten large-scale solo exhibitions, participated over twenty group exhibitions, and published over forty books.
Tian’s creation style is acknowledged on a global scale and are loved and acquired by Chinese and international organizations, museums and private art collectors. Master Hsing Yun, founder of the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist order as well as the affiliated Buddha’s Light International Association in Taiwan, personally handpicked Tian’s works for dedicated use in all images published in his publication. Tian spent three years participating in solo travel exhibitions in conjunction with Fo Guang Shan.
2020
“Yale Mind Meditation”, Solo exhibition, Shanghai, China

2019
“Zen Style Harmony”, Solo exhibition, Baiyaxuan Art Center, Beijing, China
“Ink Interesting Zen”, Singapore

2017
“Buddha’s Zen Mind”, Solo exhibition, Fo Guangyuan Art Museum, Malaysia
“Zen Mind”, Solo exhibition, Baiyaxuan Art Center, Beijing, China
“Sit and Forget”, Solo exhibition, International Art Museum, Beijing, China
“Buddha’s Zen Mind”, Solo exhibition, Fo Guang Yuan Art Museum, Taipei, Taiwan
“Buddha’s Zen Mind”, Solo exhibition, Pavillion of Fo Guang Yuan Art Museum, Hong Kong
“Buddha’s Zen Mind”, Solo exhibition, Foguangyuan Art Museum, Australia

2016
“Buddha’s Zen Mind”, Solo exhibition, Foguangyuan Art Museum, New Zealand
“Buddha’s Zen Mind”, Solo exhibition, Foguangyuan Art Museum, Taichung

2014
“Zen Ink Painting Asia Touring exhibition”, Singapore

2013
“Autumn Moon of Zen” Ink works Tour exhibition at people’s Art Museum Hotel, Beijing, China
“Autumn Moon of Zen” Ink works Tour exhibition at Prince Gong’s Mansion, Beijing, China
“Autumn Moon of Zen” Ink works Tour exhibition at Suzhou Jiaying Hall Museum, Suzhou, China
“Autumn Moon of Zen” Ink works Tour exhibition at Zu Ting Yi Xing Temple Art Museum, Taiwan

2012
“Zen”, Solo exhibition, Singapore

2009
“Silence and Harmony”, Solo exhibition, Beijing, China

2007
“Starkness & Trueness – Modern Works of Tian Xutong”, Solo exhibition, China National Museum of Fine Arts and Singapore, co-organized Tsinghua University, School of Arts, Beijing

2004
“The Door to Inner Peace”, Solo exhibition, Singapore

2001
“Zen”, Solo exhibition, Singapore

1998
Featured in an exclusive documentary interview, Beijing CCTV

1993
Invited to furnish mural designs for a charity foundation, Taiwan

1988
Award of Excellence, Central Academy of Craft and Design Exhibition of Outstanding Works