The 7th China (Suzhou) International Pastel Biennial

The China (Suzhou) International Pastel Biennial returns for its seventh edition, bringing together 73 works by more than 50 artists from China and around the world.

The international contingent includes artists from the UK, Italy, Spain, Russia, Canada, Finland, Mauritius and Japan, alongside a substantial selection of work by Chinese artists. Featured international artists include Olga Abramova, Andrew McDermott, Aurelio Rodríguez López, Gwen Roberts, Giovanni Viola, Siddick Nuckcheddy, Sergei Pietilä and Takashi Ogihara.

The exhibition covers portraits, landscapes and still lifes, with styles ranging from loose and expressive to extraordinarily detailed works that could easily be mistaken for photographs. Despite appearances, all 73 exhibited works are pastel artworks.

There's more than just the exhibition. Eight international pastel artists have been invited to participate, with accompanying activities including an international pastel symposium, live Paint Around demonstrations and pastel masterclasses.

Suzhou has an important connection with the medium: the International Pastel Biennial was first established here in 2014 and has since developed into a regular platform for exchange between Chinese and international pastel artists.