Chronicle
- 2014"Xia Jing Shan Arts and Culture Foundation" was founded in Taiwan on January, 2014. The artworks of Xia Jing Shan convey the mercy and wisdom of Chinese classical art and rich cultural deposit. The Foundation aims to preserve and pass down the work pieces of Master Xia and to promote the beauty of philanthropy left in Chinese arts and culture. The Foundation, cooperating with National Taiwan University of Arts, held Xia Jing Shan Painting Research & Art Workshop at the end of the year to illustrate the connotation of Xia Jing Shan's works with academic perspective.
- 2015The first issue of annual magazine “Jing Shan Aesthetics” was published. “The International Conference on Art Spiritually of Mr. Xia Jing Shan’s paintings” was held in Chang Jung Christian University in Tainan. “The International Conference of Xia Jing Shan Arts and Culture Cross-National Research: Forum & Exhibition” was held with Chinese Culture University.
- 2016The first issue of “Journal of Xia Jing Shan’s Art” was published. “Xia Jing Shan Story House: International classic art exhibition” was held in Wu’s Garden in Tainan. Xia’s aesthetical theory was introduced to the world with the cooperation with King’s College London, Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, and Oxford Brookes University.
- 2017In April, the Foundation held an unprecedented feast for art with renowned Taiwanese temples such as Tian-Ming Temple in order to praise Ode on Spring: Xia’s Painting and Calligraphy Art Installation through an innovative style of combining classic music and painting and calligraphy.
In June, the Foundation was advancing towards a higher level of exquisite aesthetics and taking a further cooperation with Luxury Watcher Co., Ltd. New Taipei City Main Library, National Tainan University of Art, Chinese Culture University, Department of Calligraphy and Painting Arts at the National Taiwan University of Arts and other outstanding partners to co-organize the event of 2017 Xia Jing-Shan International Conference and Painting and Calligraphy Art Exhibition."
In September, the Xia Jing Shan Painting and Calligraphy Art Exhibition was displayed in Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology and aimed to broaden the vision of oriental aesthetics to the depth to students and create an elegant place where was built on the concept of art landscape in Southern Taiwan.
Furthermore, the first “Jing Shan Classic, Cultural & Creative Arts Awards” had been planning by the foundation for years, which is expected to become a seeded project to cultivate more youths with innovative thinking and create a platform for cultural exchange through getting better understanding on the essence of classic calligraphy and painting while making art related creations. The application process was available from June until September and the award ceremony was held on December 9th at the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts (Venue: Auditorium)
Until the end of December, the Foundation held the press with the Bureau of Social Affairs, the Taichung City Government to announce the first “Xia Jing Shan Social Innovation Scholarship” scheme. This scheme aims to cultivate individuals who are eligible, including being experienced in NGO affairs and having great passion on contributing to NGO field are highly recommended to apply. By launching this scheme, we hope not only to continue the mission of Xia Jing Shan Arts and Cultural Foundation, but also look forward to creating more opportunities to collaborate with our next generations and to make our society better.
- 2018Xia Jing Shan Arts and Culture Foundation held the cross-cultural and cross-field exhibition, “Ode to Spring: Cherry Blossoms - Xia Jing Shan Art of Painting and Calligraphy Installation.”
“Brush and Ink: 2018 Xia Jing Shan Academic Conference” was presented at The Mayor’s Residence Art Salon.
First “Xia Jing Shan Social Innovation Empowerment Scholarship Program” to cultivate philanthropic professionals.
Cooperate with Nanjing University for “2018 Jing Shan Classic, Cultural and Creative Arts Awards”.
- 2019January 15, Xia Jing Shan Arts & Culture Foundation has signed a letter of intent for cooperation with the School of Business, Prague College. The foundation is planning to collaborate with Prague College in the future in programs that include academic research, call for entries and visit exchanges and other endeavors.
February 28, Dr. Zhao Suisheng, Professor of Josef Korbel School of International Studies and the Chief Editor of Journal of Contemporary China visited Xia Jing Shan Arts & Culture Foundation to initiate important collaborations. He was on the behalf of the center for China-US Cooperation, Josef Korbel School of International Studies, University of Denver to sign Memorandum of Understanding with the Foundation to confirm the international collaboration between “Journal of Xia Jing Shan’s Art” and “Journal of Contemporary China”.
March 17, the Foundation held the “Spring: Xia Jing Shan Calligraphy and Painting Art Connoisseurship Salon” at the Tianming Temple, New Taipei City. There were many Xia’s authentic paintings showcased for art lovers. Notably, the masterpiece “Dragon King Worships Avalokiteśvara” of Xia Jing Shan which measures up to 5 meters long and was presented to the public in Taiwan for the first time.
April 13, Xia Jing Shan Arts & Culture Foundation signed a cooperation agreement with the Niushou Mountain Buddhist Cultural Development Foundation to form an alliance with each other to promote exquisite Buddhist Art.
April 16, Xia Jing Shan Arts & Culture Foundation signed an academic exchange agreement with the Centre for Buddhist Studies at the School of Oriental and African Studies of the University of London to establish a cooperative relationship. Academic funds has been made to jointly promote ‘Xia’s Studies’ in the next three years .
May 15, Xia Jing Shan Arts & Culture Foundation co-hosted the seminar “First Buddhist Art Maestro Across centuries: Xia Jing Shan” with the Centre of Buddhist Studies, School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. The seminar took place at SOAS. Renowned scholars and experts from London are invited to attend and topic mainly focused on “Xia Jing Shan Buddhist Paintings in contemporary world”. In the future, more and more cultural exchange activities will continue to be held, and SOAS, University of London will be expected to be a research base for Xia’s Studies in Europe.
May 16, Xia Jing Shan Arts & Culture Foundation signed a letter of intent for cooperation with School of Arts and Humanities of the University of Lisbon. In order to sow the seeds of Art education and cultivate more and more cultural and creative talents in a near future, the foundation will set up art-related courses in a collaboration with School of Arts and Humanities, University of Lisbon.
June 1, Xia Jing Shan Arts & Culture Foundation co-hosted “The 1st Jing Shan Forum Cultural Studies on Buddhist Iconography” with School of Arts and Xia Jing Shan Academy of Nanjing University. It was held at School of Arts, Nanjing University and 20 articles regarding Buddhist culture and Buddhism were presented in the seminar.
June 2, Xia Jing Shan Arts & Culture Foundation and Niushou Mountain Cultural Tourism Group Co., Ltd. co-hosted the "Xia Jing Shan Art Connoisseurship Salon & ‘Xia Jing Shan Calligraphy and Painting Art Exhibition’ Agreement Signing Ceremony", which took place in the Foshan Palace in Niushou Mountain, Nanjing. Hundreds of business, academic and religious elites attended the event. The authentic painting “Manjushri” by Master Xia Jing Shan was firstly presented to the public. Meanwhile, “Xia Jing Shan's Online Exhibition” was jointly launched by Xia Jing Shan Arts & Culture Foundation and a number of distinguished academic institutions. Xia Jing Shan's Online Exhibition is accessible to the public and invite everyone to appreciate Chinese Buddhist Art.
September 23, the founder of Xia Jing Shan Arts and Culture Foundation, Master Xia Jing Shan, passed away peacefully in Los Angeles, the U.S. The funeral was held by Fo Guang Ghan Hsi Lai Temple at Rose Hills Memorial Park on October 2. There were hundreds of family members, friends, and Buddha’s Light International Association Los Angeles came to mourn the loss.
October 26, The Foundation held “Xia Jing Shan: First Buddhist Art Maestro Across Centuries” at Marriot Nanjing South Hotel and invited the scholars from Lisbon, Nanjing, Taiwan, and Hong Kong to have in-depth dialogues.
October 27, the Foundation collaborated with Nanjing Niushou Mountain Cultural Tourism Zone in holding the opening of “Niushou・Infinite Art–Contemporary Maestro, Xia Jing Shan Calligraphy and Painting Art Exhibition” at the Usnisa Palace. At the opening, there was the memorial ceremony of Master Xia, the book launch of Xia Jing Shan: First Buddhist Art Maestro Across Centuries, and the donation ceremony of Shakyamuni Buddha. The exhibition was the highlight of Nioushou Culture and Art Festival, from October 27 to November 10.
December 7, the Foundation signed the MOU with DoM ISCTE-IUL.
December 8, “2019 Jing Shan Classic, Cultural and Creative Arts Awards & Xia Jing Shan Memorial Service” was held at the Sherwood Hotel. There was an exhibition of Master Xia’s authentic masterpieces, and the holographic projection of Xia’s works, and the presentation of the awarding projects. During the ceremony, there were over a hundred overseas and domestic people gathered to retrospect Master Xia’s legacy.
December 12, the Foundation held “Xia Jing Shan, Buddhist and Chinese Art Workshop” at the School of Arts and Humanities of the University of Lisbon. There were Portuguese and British scholars invited to be panelists and discuss Asian Zen painting and Buddhist iconography. The event is meaningful for the Foundation in the sense that this is the first time to hold an academic event across Chinese and English cultural circle.
December 19, the Foundation co-organized “UNINGO in Taiwan – International Forum on Ocean Sustainability” at the National Museum of Marine Science and Technology. There were representatives from the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Hong Kong having dialectical conversation with Taiwanese oceanic environmental NGOs. Master Xia’s selective works were presented at the venue.
- 2020On March 11, the first “Xia Jing Shan Scholarship in Buddhist Studies”, sponsored by the Foundation, launched and provides the master students at the SOAS to do research on Xia aesthetics and oriental Buddhist and Zen culture.
On April 18, “Jing Shan Classic・Maestro of the Buddhist Art: Xia Jing Shan's Exhibition”, co-hosted by the Foundation and Fo Guang Shan, started at Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum. It is the first time to exhibit Xia Jing Shan’s work, Bhaiṣajyaguru. We hope that the work can calm and heal people’s hearts. The online exhibition launched at the same time and was promoted by many organizations worldwide.
On May 26, the Foundation signed the agreement of industry-academia cooperation with Nanhua University and established “Nanhua University Buddhist Arts and Culture Institute”.
On June 14, the Foundation held the opening ceremony of “Jing Shan Classic・Maestro of the Buddhist Art: Xia Jing Shan's Exhibition” and presented 4 Xia’s works, including Avalokiteśvara, Zhong Kui, and 2 calligraphic works, as gifts to Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum. Our friends sent their congratulations through videos.
On June 14, the Foundation held “Perceiving Tathāgata: 2020 Xia Jing Shan International Academic Seminar” at the Buddha Museum, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan. Katie Hill, director of Asian Contemporary Art from the Sotheby’s Institute of Art, gave the keynote speech. The seminar gathered 21 scholars worldwide and focused on 2 topics, “Buddhist culture and Chinese ink art” and “Xia Jing Shan studies”. The Venerable Master Man Chien, the Abbot of Fo Guang Shan Taipei Vihara, was the moderator for the topic of Xia Jing Shan studies.
June 14
The opening ceremony of "Jing Shan Classic．Maestro of Buddhist Art: Xia Jing Shan’s Exhibition" was held when the epidemic ebbed, in line with the government's pandemic prevention policies. The exhibition period was from April 18 to September 28. Master Xia Jing Shan’s masterpieces Guanyin, Zhong Kui, and two calligraphy pieces were presented to the permanent collection of Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum. The Foundation’s friends from worldwide congratulated the successful exhibition in the opening ceremony through pre-recording.
On the same day, the Foundation held the "Perceiving Tathāgata: Xia Jing Shan International Academic Seminar" at the Buddha Museum. Dr. Katie Hill, Program Director of MA Modern and Contemporary Asian Art, Sotheby’s Institute of Art, London, served as the keynote speech. There were 21 international researchers presenting their essays. They are divided into two seminars, focusing on "Buddhist Culture, Painting and Calligraphy Art" and "Xia Jing Shan Art Research". The second seminar was introduced by Venerable Master Man Chien, the chief abbess of Fo Guang Shan Taipei Vihāra. Overseas scholars pre-recorded videos to participate.
August 15
The opening ceremony of "Jing Shan Īsvara．Maestro of Buddhist Art: Xia Jing Shan’s Avalokiteśvara Exhibition” was held. It was co-curated by the Foundation and Fo Guang Shan Taipei Vihāra where was also the venue. The Foundation donated the authentic work by Master Xia, Avalokiteśvara, to the permanent collection of Fo Guang Shan Taipei Vihāra. The exhibition lasted until September 2.
September 25
The Foundation co-organized the "2020 UNINGO: SDGs in Post-Pandemic Era
", held in the exhibition hall of the Foundation. It invited legislators, mayors, officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ocean Affairs Council, and Taiwanese environmental sustainability NGOs to gather. The meeting had the con-call with NGOs, experts, and scholars in Asia and Europe to discuss environmental policy and tourism sustainability in the post-epidemic era.
December 11
The unveiling ceremony was held for the "Sotheby's × Xia Jing Shan Oriental Art" project, a collaboration between the Foundation and Sotheby's Institution of Art, London. After more than two years of discussions, the Foundation formally allied with Sotheby's Institution of Art. It introduced tailored art courses by Sotheby's for the Chinese-speaking world. This is the first time that Sotheby's Institution of Art, London, has cooperated with a Taiwanese foundation.
- 2021January 2
The opening ceremony of “Jing Shan Avatamsaka．Maestro of Buddhist Art: Xia Jing Shan’s Bodhisattva Exhibition” was held at Fo Guang Shan Hui Chung Temple. The exhibition was co-organized by the Foundation and Fo Guang Shan Foundation for Buddhist Culture and Education. Master Xia’s seven-meter painting, Buddha, was donated to the permanent collection of Hui Chung Temple. The exhibition lasted until March 7.
January 17
The Foundation held an educational event at the Fo Guang Shan Hui Chung Temple, "Art Talk and Appreciation: Xia Jing Shan, the Buddhist Art Maestro". The foundation’s CEO, Dr. Chao Chung-Chieh, and the Tainan Art Museum former director, Pan Fan, had an art talk. The huge nine-meter painting, Avalokiteśvara with Thousand Hands and Eyes, was exhibited. Professor Ulrich Pagel, Head, School History, Religions and Philosophies, SOAS, University of London, recorded a video to introduce the famous painting.
January 23
The opening ceremony of the "2020 Jing Shan Classic, Cultural and Creative Art Awards Ceremony" co-organized by the Foundation and the Chiayi County Government, and the "A Variety of Zhong Kui Celebrating New Year: Maestro Xia Jing Shan’s Zhong Kui Exhibition" were grandly held in Evergreen Palace Hotel Chiayi. The eight-meter Buddhist painting Manjushri by Master Xia was exhibited during the ceremony, which was the first public display in Taiwan. " A Variety of Zhong Kui Celebrating New Year: Maestro Xia Jing Shan’s Zhong Kui Exhibition " was exhibited until March 1.
The new book Extraordinary: The Biography of Buddhist Painting Maestro Xia Jing Shan was published on the same day. Through interviews and historical data, the Foundation collected precious photos and representative paintings. The pictures and texts show the legendary life of the master. It is the first complete biography of Master Xia.
