The Institute of Chansi (ICS), formally known as the Siwen International Institute of Art and Financial Research – From the Lineage of Li Kuchan and Wang Xuetao, was founded in Beijing in 2015 by the renowned Chinese freehand painter Master Zhao Siwen. Established in honor of his teachers, Masters Li Kuchan and Wang Xuetao, the Institute is dedicated to the research of traditional Chinese painting, advanced art education, and international cultural and academic exchange.
Inspired by the artistic spirit of Qi Baishi, the Institute carries forward the artistic lineage of Li Kuchan and Wang Xuetao, with Chinese Freehand Painting (Xieyi) as its core area of research. It is committed to becoming an international institution integrating academic research, higher education, artistic creation, exhibitions, publishing, cultural exchange, and public education.
The Institute actively promotes the preservation and innovation of traditional Chinese painting while encouraging dialogue between Eastern and Western artistic traditions. Through exhibitions, lectures, publications, educational programs, and international collaborations, it seeks to introduce the beauty of Chinese freehand painting to audiences around the world.
Today, the Institute continues to uphold the vision of Master Zhao Siwen: to preserve China’s cultural heritage, cultivate future generations of artists, and promote mutual understanding through art across different cultures.