The Chinese art galleries highlight several beautiful examples of Song (960–1279) and Yuan (1260–1368) dynasty ceramics, and examples of contemporary Chinese art. One of the rarest Chinese ceramics in LACMA’s collection is the mid-14th century porcelain Jar with Pair of Peacocks among Floral Scrolls. This striking vessel was made only shortly after the first appearance of blue-and-white porcelain in China, with designs painted directly on the porcelain body with cobalt oxide pigment before being covered with a clear glaze. The contemporary section presents Zheng Chongbin’s dramatic painting Turbulence (2013). Zheng was born in Shanghai in 1961 and received his MFA at the San Francisco Art Institute in 1991. A leader of the contemporary ink revival, Zheng pushes the boundaries of the ancient Chinese ink painting tradition, and is one of the leaders of the contemporary ink revival. He currently lives and works in Shanghai and Marin County.
 
The Chinese art galleries are anticipated to close to the public for collection inventory and packing on July 27, 2019. This work is in preparation for the construction of the new proposed building for the permanent collection designed by Peter Zumthor, which is expected to open by the end of 2023.