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U.S. Embassy - Beijing, China

The U.S. Embassy in Beijing, China, designed by Craig Hartman of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), opened in 2008. It is one of the United States’ most important diplomatic posts, not only due to the critical work being done to maintain the success of the U.S.-China relationship, but also because of the significant number of visitors. An estimated 2,000 Chinese nationals pass by Ellsworth Kelly’s red, white and blue Beijing Panel on their way into the Consular section daily. FAPE’s contributions to the embassy, including works by Ellsworth Kelly, Martin Puryear and Louise Bourgeois, ensure that these visitors experience outstanding examples of American art that represent the diversity and freedom of expression central to our nation’s values.

Photo © Timothy Hursley

Artist Commission

Ellsworth Kelly

FAPE commissioned Ellsworth Kelly to create a sculpture for Beijing in 2003. The artist conceived an 18-foot-high wall sculpture to include the colors red, white and blue, representing the United States. The artist then decided to do a second piece in red and yellow, representing China, on the opposite side of the wall. The work was fabricated in California by Carlson Baker Arts LLC.

The artist presented his maquette of the work to First Lady Laura Bush and Secretary of State Colin Powell in 2003. The sculptures were installed on July 4, 2011.

Gift of the artist with additional funding provided by The Honorable Ronald S. Lauder and Mrs. Jo Carole Lauder, Maria Hummer-Tuttle and Robert Tuttle, and
“I am honored to be able to support FAPE and its important mission to bring American art to the world through our embassies. My first gift to FAPE was two 18-foot-high wall sculptures for the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, which I had created in 2003. Each sculpture is comprised of three painted aluminum panels: one is red, white, and blue, and the other sculpture has two red panels and one yellow panel.”
— Ellsworth Kelly

Ellsworth Kelly
Beijing Panels
2003
Painted aluminum, two reliefs. Each panel: 18 feet, 9 inches x 11 feet x 11 ½ inches

 
 

Artists Ellsworth Kelly and Martin Puryear

 
 

Artist Commission

Martin Puryear

In 2008 FAPE commissioned Martin Puryear to create a 31-foot-high stainless-steel arch, entitled Connecting, which is visible to the public from outside the embassy. The artist presented the maquette of his work to Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton during FAPE’s 2011 Annual Events in Washington, D.C. The work was fabricated in New York by KC Fabrications and was dedicated on May 8, 2018. More information.

Thanks to the Embassy’s Public Affairs section, several days of cultural outreach were organized around the dedication, including artist studio and museum tours, as well as a panel discussion at CAFA—the Central Academy of Fine Arts—the only art academy of higher learning directly under the Ministry of Education.
More information.

Gift of the artist with additional funding provided by The Honorable Ronald S. Lauder and Mrs. Jo Carole Lauder, Nancy and Howard Marks, Maria Hummer-Tuttle and Robert Tuttle, and

Donated in honor of Agnes Gund

“My work for Beijing consists of a linear stainless-steel form sweeping through space like a floating string of 27 beads, anchored at each end by massive domes of granite.”
— Martin Puryear

Martin Puryear
Connecting
2018
Stainless steel with granite base, 31 feet high

 
 
 

Additional Works

Louise Bourgeois

In 2003 FAPE secured the donation of two bronze sculptures by Louise Bourgeois. The works are installed in the Ambassador’s suite.

Gift of the artist with additional funding provided by Sheila Johnson Robbins

 

Additional Works

Martin Puryear

In 2003 Martin Puryear created a series of prints based on the maquette for his sculpture, Connecting.

Right: Jeanne and Martin Puryear viewing the prints at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing.

Gift of The Honorable Ronald S. Lauder and Mrs. Jo Carole Lauder

 
 

Renovation

In 1989 FAPE completed one of its most ambitious projects—the redesign and renovation of the main public spaces at the U.S. Ambassador’s Residence in Beijing. FAPE, the State Department, and interior designer and Chinese furnishings expert Robert Hatfield Ellsworth worked together to completely transform the diplomatic and representational rooms on the first floor. Dramatic black granite floors were installed, the main reception room was painted green and furnished with 19th century mahogany furniture, and sofas were reupholstered.

Mr. Ellsworth enlarged the outside garden and reception areas to make them more suitable for entertaining. He also obtained eight Georgian-style reproduction dining chairs to match the 16 already there so that larger dinners could be held. When the project started Mr. Ellsworth published a “wish list” for the residence. Artists and donors generously gave, including Jerome Zipkin who contributed a pair of Sheffield sterling silver candelabra, and David Rockefeller, who donated a set of Chinese Export armorial porcelain.

 
 
 

U.S. Embassy in Beijing, China
55 Anjialou Road, Chaoyang District
Beijing, China, 100600

Visit embassy website