Printmaking strengthens ties of artists from Belt and Road countries

A print exhibit at an ongoing exhibition for printmaking art emanating from countries along the Belt and Road, held in Beijing. The exhibition will run until March 8th. [Photo: todayartmuseum.com]

A printmaking exhibition showcasing works made by artists along the Belt and Road is underway in Beijing.

The exhibition is part of an international project that aims to promote both cultural exchanges and the education of future generations of printmaking artists.

CRI's Xu Fei has more.

25 artists from countries along the Belt and Road, along with 26 Chinese artists, gathered in Shenzhen in south China to each create two artworks for the exhibition, including one that was related to China.

Kang Jianfei is the exhibition's curator.

"These artists have lived and worked together. This exhibition gave artists a platform to exchange their ideas for creating prints in their own unique way. The artists discovered that the source of their inspiration is largely related to their nationality, ethnicity, and culture. Through this project, the artists have become good friends. The 25 international artists now even have their own Wechat group."

The artworks are currently on display at the Today Art Museum in Beijing.

A similar printmaking exhibition was held last September at the Sofia National Art Gallery in Bulgaria. That was the first national exhibition held by China in Bulgaria. It attracted high-profile local artists, and professors from local printmaking departments.

Artists taking part in the Belt and Road printmaking exchange project have a better chance of having their works put on display in museums around the world.

Curator Kang Jianfei says that fifty prints will be made of each artwork.

"Some of these copies will be delivered to museums in China and countries like Bulgaria and Afghanistan, enabling the general public to better understand the art of printmaking, especially in China. By doing this, we can reach our goal of promoting cultural exchange."

A print exhibit at an ongoing exhibition for printmaking art emanating from countries along the Belt and Road, held in Beijing. The exhibition will run until March 8th. [Photo: todayartmuseum.com]

The Belt and Road printmaking exchange project is also helping to foster the growth of the next generation of printmakers. Curator Kang Jianfei explains.

"Out of the 50 copies made of each artwork, 25 have been donated to primary schools, where they can be sold and the money used to buy equipment to build a printmaking studio."

But the construction of printmaking studios is just the first step. The Chinese National Academy of Arts, where Kang works, is a co-sponsor of the exhibition. The academy is providing ongoing support for the education of future generations of artists.

"Both museums and the Chinese National Academy of Arts are donors. We will continue monitoring the educational activities in the studios and the hiring of printmaking teachers to teach in these studios on a regular basis. Wuxi, a city in east China, saw the launch of five printmaking studios in December last year."

Kang Jianfei said the project would be expanded in 2018 to include both more countries and more artists.

High quality prints will also be donated to libraries, theatres, and other public venues where they can be widely enjoyed by the general public.

For CRI, I'm Xu Fei.