China

From Badong to Chongming: Multi-Site Ethnography as Method and the Making of Sonic and Visual Tapestries — A Review of Pepper Indulging (Neo Gao)

Still from Neo Gao’s Pepper Indulging (2024), layering a face with peppercorns near the lips over a gateway and townscape.

In Pepper Indulging — Alluvial Voice, Neo Jiapu Gao turns a vast geopolitical story into something intimate and quietly unsettling. By spending two days and one night with the Zhang family—first-generation migrants relocated after the Three Gorges Project—Gao captures moments that feel almost ordinary: harvesting peppercorns, tending a garden, preparing for sleep. Yet beneath these scenes runs a deeper current of displacement, language barriers, and lingering memory. Through layered imagery, shifting dialects, and the persistent presence of a Sichuan pepper plant carried from their former home, Gao reveals how migration reshapes not only landscapes but the textures of everyday life. What begins as a portrait of a single family slowly unfolds into a meditation on what it means to be uprooted—and what fragments of home can survive the journey.

Ma Weidu: Scholar of the Past, Craftsman of the Present – An Interview on Collecting, Cultural Practice and Responsibilities of Our Time

Ma Weidu in a white stand-collar jacket against a blue backdrop.

At a moment when cultural institutions worldwide struggle to define their purpose, Ma Weidu stands as a rare figure—part scholar, part craftsman—quietly reshaping what it means to care for the past. From founding China’s first private museum to rescuing stray cats who became unlikely cultural icons, his journey reveals how one person’s integrity can transform an entire heritage landscape. His story is not only about collecting antiquities, but about restoring warmth, responsibility, and meaning to a rapidly changing world—an invitation to step inside a life where culture becomes a way of being.

Traditional Treasures: The Art and Legacy of Chinese Pu’er Tea

Dark Pu’er tea block with four raised Chinese characters on a red-topped black display stand.

Pu’er tea, a symbol of China’s rich cultural heritage, transcends its role as a simple beverage. Originating in the misty mountains of Yunnan and once traded along the historic Tea Horse Route, it carries with it centuries of artistry and tradition. Among the most intriguing aspects of Pu’er tea are its concentrated tea cubes, once crafted exclusively for Chinese royalty. These cubes represent the pinnacle of tea-making craftsmanship, each step of their intricate production—from fermentation to pressing—reflecting the reverence for detail and mastery. Today, these “traditional treasures” not only offer a taste of ancient China but also preserve the legacy of an art form that continues to inspire and endure.

Swedish Artist and Musician Maj-Britt Niklasson to Showcase Inner Universe in Beijing Exhibition

Purple-clad figure reaching toward a taller outlined figure across a scalloped dark boundary against a yellow background.

Swedish artist, musician, and writer Maj-Britt Niklasson is set to grace the Archive Art Museum in Beijing with her captivating works, offering a glimpse into the depths of the human psyche through her intricate oil paintings on canvas. The exhibition, curated by David Khazaie and Nour Nouri of Pashmin Art in Hamburg, promises to be a celebration of art’s ability to transcend borders and unite cultures.

Internationally Acclaimed Dutch Artist Willem Vos Set to Showcase in Germany Following Successful Exhibition in China

Willem Vos portrait painting of a woman with dark hair across one eye, red lips and purple paint marks.

Willem Vos, a celebrated Dutch artist renowned for his audacious approach to contemporary art, crafts pieces distinguished by their commanding scale, vibrant colors, impactful presence, and profound depth of meaning. Guided by the principle “Art is Freedom. I make Art,” Vos’s creations bear witness to the myriad experiences shaping his artistic journey. Over the past four years, his body of work has garnered global recognition, marking a remarkable evolution both personally and artistically.

Renowned Dutch Artist Willem Vos to Exhibit at Contemporary Art Archive Museum in China After Successful Hong Art Museum Debut

A visitor using a tablet to photograph Willem Vos's brightly colored painting of a bird with outstretched wings.

Fresh from the resounding success of his exhibition at the Hong Art Museum in Chongqing, Dutch artist Willem Vos is poised to embark on a new chapter in his artistic journey with an upcoming exhibition in Beijing, solidifying his status as a global ambassador of contemporary art. Vos’s recent exhibition, “Transcendence: A Fusion of Art and Culture,” held at the prestigious Hong Art Museum, captivated audiences with its immersive showcase of European cultural heritage. Running from November 28, 2023, to February 28, 2024, the exhibition garnered widespread acclaim, marking a significant milestone in Vos’s artistic career.

Behind the Scenes Interview: Exploring Emotional Depths in Zekai Zhang’s “Purple and Blue”

Purple and Blue film poster showing a man, a woman, a red animated character and festival laurels.

Welcome to our exclusive interview, where we delve into the depths of Zekai Zhang’s acclaimed short film “Purple and Blue.” This emotionally charged narrative has captured international attention, earning accolades at prestigious events such as the Crown Wood International Film Festival and LACA Cinematography Awards. Join us as we explore Zhang’s creative process, the thematic underpinnings of his film, and the profound influence of his animation background on this poignant story that artfully intertwines technology with the human experience of love and loss.

The Dark Side of Everyday Life: Wang Guangyi’s Solo Exhibition “Obscured Existence” in Italy at Palazzo Pitti

Artwork with an open-mouthed face divided by a yellow grid and overlaid with long vertical paint drips.

This exhibition, comprising 28 masterful paintings by the renowned artist Wang Guangyi, guides visitors through four distinct cycles. These cycles delve into the underlying essence of the ritualistic nature of daily gestures and the use of common objects. Simultaneously, the works delve into the profound impact of one’s cultural background on the interpretation of art. The journey begins with “Daily Life,” a series of paintings focusing on the intimacy of small, everyday gestures performed by each of us. Within this initial series, Wang Guangyi portrays moments of private life, capturing individuals in vulnerable states, emphasizing how the ordinary can attain ritualistic significance.

Breaking Art Boundaries: Tianyun Jiang’s Poetic Journey Redefining Existence

A black figure reaching upward inside a red square, from Tianyun Jiang’s Cuber series.

In the realm of contemporary graphic design, few artists dare to delve as deeply into the profound mysteries of human existence as Tianyun Jiang. Since embarking on her professional journey in 2015, Tianyun has risen to prominence, not merely as a designer who adheres to the principle of “form follows function,” but as a visionary artist who weaves the threads of philosophy and poetry into her creations. One of her most notable triumphs, “Cuber,” recently earned her the prestigious Distinguished Merit at this year’s 3×3 International Illustration Annual, solidifying her place as a trailblazer in the world of art and design.

Dutch Artist Willem Vos to Exhibit in China with a Message “Art is Freedom”

Portrait of a bearded person in black clothing and a black beanie, seated beside a large red painting.

Renowned Dutch artist Willem Vos is embarking on a cultural odyssey to China as he collaborates with the Hong Art Museum in Chongqing and Pashmin Art Consortia from Germany to present their highly anticipated exhibition, “Transcendence: A Fusion of Art and Culture.” The exhibition will run from November 28, 2023, to February 28, 2024. This immersive showcase of contemporary artistic expressions promises to transport visitors into a vibrant tapestry of European cultural heritage, brought to life in the heart of Chongqing, China.