A printmaking exhibition featuring nearly 100 works from 30 Chinese and Italian artists opened in Shanghai. Visitors explore the printmaking exhibition. [Photo provided to China Daily]
A printmaking exhibition featuring nearly 100 works from 30 Chinese and Italian artists opened on April 3 in Shanghai, highlighting the artistic dialogue between Eastern and Western traditions.
The Dreamweaving of the East and the West: Sino-Italian Contemporary Printmaking Exchange Exhibition, running until June 2 at Shanghai Duolun Museum of Modern Art in Hongkou district, showcases diverse techniques, from Italian copper plate etchings and wood engravings to Chinese watermark woodcuts and modern abstract prints.
"From Marco Polo's travels seven centuries ago to Matteo Ricci's cultural exchange in the late Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), to today's artistic dialogue through printmaking, this exhibition continues the history of cultural exchange between China and Italy," said Wu Qiang, head of Publicity Department of Shanghai Hongkou District Committee.
A printmaking exhibition featuring nearly 100 works from 30 Chinese and Italian artists opened in Shanghai. Visitors explore the printmaking exhibition. [Photo provided to China Daily]
The exhibition's location carries historical significance. In 1931, Chinese literary giant Lu Xun (1881-1936) organized a summer woodcut workshop in Hongkou district, promoting the art form to the Chinese youth.
"Hosting this China-Italy printmaking dialogue in Hongkou, where Lu Xun sparked China's modern printmaking renaissance, pays tribute to history while embodying the district's commitment to openness," said Yin Fu, the exhibition's chief curator.
Li Lei, vice chairman of the Shanghai Artists Association and director of the Shanghai Haipai Art Museum, emphasized that both nations share a history of cultural openness and mutual learning. "Using art as a bridge reinforces our belief that cultural and artistic exchanges can promote deeper human connections," he said.
Paolo Laudisa from the Rome Academy of Fine Arts, who contributed a lithograph monotype with charcoal, noted that the exhibition creates "a unique language of art magic" between Italian and Chinese artists.
A printmaking exhibition featuring nearly 100 works from 30 Chinese and Italian artists opened in Shanghai. Visitors explore the printmaking exhibition. [Photo provided to China Daily]
Mario Tomasello, head of the Printmaking Department at the Mario Sironi Academy of Fine Arts, reflected on Chinese influences in his work: "Rather than merely copying Chinese characters, I sought to reconstruct them, leading to the emergence of similar symbols that evolved into painting. The extraordinary elegance and harmony, rooted in Eastern philosophy, deeply resonates with my artistic vision."
During the exhibition period, participating artists engaged with local communities through guided tours, visits to historical sites, and school workshops. They also conducted creative sessions along the North Bund and Duolun Road areas, fostering international artistic exchange.
The exhibition is directed by the Publicity Department of Shanghai Hongkou District Committee and supported by the Shanghai International Culture Association.
