Sun Dashi Art Gallery

Sun Dashi Art Gallery

Sun Dashi Art Gallery is located on the picturesque northern shore of Beihu Lake in Gaotang, Shandong. It was jointly built by the People's Government of Gaotang County and Mr. Sun Dashi. The gallery occupies a land area of 2,088 square meters, with a total construction area of 1,200 square meters, featuring a classical Chinese courtyard architectural style. The gallery building consists of an east and west courtyard. The west courtyard includes north, south, and west exhibition halls, a corridor, a stele wall, and a four-story hexagonal pavilion called "One-View Pavilion"; the east courtyard houses Mr. Sun Dashi’s living quarters and studio.

Exhibits

On August 19, 1995, and September 22, 1999, Mr. Sun generously donated his lifetime collection of paintings, calligraphy masterpieces, cultural relics, the "Dragon Soaring Giant Inkstone," books, furniture, and his residence to the People's Government of Gaotang County, where they are permanently displayed in the gallery. The works span a wide range of creation dates, from as early as 1943 to as late as 1995. The subjects and styles are diverse, including traditional Chinese paintings, calligraphy, watercolors, ink-on-cloth paintings, sketches, as well as large-scale works and small pieces. There are both monumental creations by leading figures in the art world and fine works by renowned international artists. In addition to these artworks, there is also the spectacle of the “No. 1 Inkstone in the World.” Also known as the Dragon Soaring Giant Inkstone, it was designed and invested in by Wei Xiyuan and Liu Quansheng from the Yixian Stone Carving Factory in Hebei, and took five artisans including Liu Wencai three years to carve. Wei and Liu had long admired Mr. Sun’s reputation and were moved by his character and artistic integrity. To ensure the giant inkstone found a fitting home, they voluntarily donated it to the Sun Dashi Art Gallery as a lasting tribute. The inkstone weighs ten tonnes, measures 4.43 meters in length and 2.62 meters in width, and features 87 carved dragons. Three large dragons symbolize China’s three municipalities directly under the central government, 28 medium-sized dragons represent the 28 provinces and autonomous regions, and 56 small dragons stand for the 56 ethnic groups. The inkstone also depicts the Yellow River, the Great Wall, auspicious clouds, rugged rocks, and pine tree-shaped brush holders. The entire piece symbolizes the long history, unity, and greatness of the Chinese nation. It is a profound creation, exquisitely carved, and hailed as a wonder of stone carving. In addition to the No. 1 Inkstone, the gallery also displays various other inkstones of different sizes and unique shapes.