Yu Jigao Art Gallery

Yu Jigao Art Gallery

Yu Jigao Art Gallery is a national AAA-level tourist attraction.

Yu Jigao (1932–) is a renowned meticulous-style flower-and-bird painter and professor. A native of Tongshan, Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province, he graduated from the Department of Fine Arts at Nanjing Normal University. He has served as the Vice President of the Jiangsu Provincial Academy of Traditional Chinese Painting, Vice Chairman of the Jiangsu Artists Association, a member of the council of the China National Academy of Painting, and Vice President of the China Meticulous Painting Society, among other positions. His works have been exhibited and awarded in many national art exhibitions. He has held solo exhibitions in Beijing, Guangzhou, New York, USA, and at the United Nations Headquarters, among other locations. His works have also been displayed in over 30 countries and regions including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Japan, and India. He has created more than 30 large-scale meticulous flower-and-bird paintings for important national venues such as the Great Hall of the People, Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, and the Reception Hall of Zhongnanhai. He has published over 30 monographs.

Yu Jigao Art Gallery is located in Tangzhang Town, Tongshan District, Xuzhou City. The town (and scenic area) where the gallery is situated enjoys convenient transportation. Urban Bus No. 23 reaches the town directly from the city center. It lies adjacent to National Highway 104, with the Eurasian Continental Bridge Huolian Expressway passing through the area. It is 20 kilometers from Xuzhou Guanyin Airport and 15 kilometers from the railway hub of the Beijing–Shanghai–Longhai lines. The environment is elegant, with the Langxi River running north-south through Tangzhang Town, along with over 30 medium-sized ditches crisscrossing east to west. The area boasts clear waters, shaded trees, and is known as a place of outstanding people and spiritual energy.

The construction of Yu Jigao Art Gallery began in June 2006. It covers an area of 7,936 square meters and includes the main exhibition hall, training center, stele corridor, memorial archway, and more. In December 2013, it was approved as a national AAA-level tourist attraction.

The main exhibition hall has four floors, with a total floor area of 2,642 square meters. The first floor displays a pictorial biography of Mr. Yu Jigao, vividly illustrating his growth and artistic achievements. The second floor mainly exhibits and collects Mr. Yu’s meticulous flower-and-bird paintings. The third floor showcases calligraphy and paintings by historical figures, cultural relics, and artworks. The fourth floor serves as an exhibition room, displaying precious artworks gifted to Mr. Yu by people from all walks of life.

The comprehensive building of the training center is a multifunctional complex integrating meticulous painting research and art education. It includes studios for renowned artists, dedicated classrooms for teaching and training, and displays of famous calligraphy and paintings from various dynasties.

The stele corridor extends over 60 meters along both the eastern and western walls, featuring inscriptions from the United Nations headquarters, party and state leaders, military figures, and eminent calligraphers and painters. These inscriptions offer high praise for Mr. Yu Jigao’s art from various perspectives.

The memorial archways are located on Haitang Road in front of the art gallery, one on each side. The structures feature unique architectural styles and artistic charm, combining elements such as carving, plaque couplets, and calligraphy. They possess rich artistic beauty and deep cultural significance.

Yu Jigao Art Gallery is a cultural facility integrating art seminars, creative exchanges, and collection displays. It primarily focuses on the study, collection, and exhibition of Mr. Yu Jigao’s meticulous flower-and-bird paintings, making it one of the key research institutions for this art form in China. It also serves as a base for art education for primary and secondary school students and for youth quality education. The gallery fully leverages its educational and outreach functions, becoming a practical base for youth quality education in Xuzhou and surrounding provinces and cities.