Li Chen of Asia Art Center has been invited to participate in Smoke Index · Chengdu Biennale 2026 at Chengdu Art Museum. On view are his representative works from the Spiritual Journey Through the Great Ether series: Floating Heavenly Palace and The Genuine State, as well as Radiance · Chiliadal Blossom (I) from the Ethereal Cloud series.
A Global Highlight: An In-depth Dialogue Between International Art and Urban Vitality
Bringing together 328 artworks by 251 artists from 29 countries and regions across the globe, this edition of the biennale takes Smoke Index as its theme. It features six thematic sections: Where It Matters, Wonder in the Everyday, Urban Prism, Traveling Through Time and Space, Return to Life, and Twenty-Four Hours. The exhibition aims to depict daily life from an artistic perspective and interpret the dynamism and sense of well-being of a city. As Wu Hongliang, the chief curator, commented: “An index refers to data in economics, yet within this biennale, it can stand for mood, love, and the pursuit of art.” Rather than presenting art as something lofty and inaccessible locked in an ivory tower, the opening of this biennale invites art to spill its energy into neighborhoods and everyday life.
This biennale sets a new record for overseas exhibits in its history, showcasing works by 116 international artists from 29 countries and regions. The lineup includes leading international art figures such as Bernard Venet, the legendary French artist, and British contemporary master Julian Opie. A total of 45 new artworks are specially created for Chengdu. Garnering attention and support from the global art community, many international works are realized with backing from embassies, consulates and cultural institutions of various countries.
