The Arts Bridge to build cultural ties through Chinese art

A photo of the art salon. [Photo provided by Ranger Photography Studio]

The Art Salon of the 2025 Arts Bridge: Contemporary Expressions of Ancient Chinese Art & Craftsmanship was held at the Royal Geographical Society in London on March 12, coinciding with the 2025 London Book Fair, one of the most prominent spring events in the global publishing industry.

The event was hosted by James Smith, CEO of ACC Art Books and Images Publishing, and attended by distinguished guests, including Zhao Haiyun, deputy director-general of the National Administration of Press and Publication, Li Liyan, minister counselor for cultural affairs at China's embassy in the UK, and Claudia Kaiser, vice president of business development of the Frankfurt Book Fair.

During the Guests Dialogue session, Eugene Wang, the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Professor of Asian Art at Harvard University, presented insights from his upcoming book, Roaming Objects: Chinese Art West of Mountains. Professor Wang then engaged in a profound dialogue with Shane McCausland, an art professor from the University of London, on Chinese art history research, examining differences in Eastern and Western artistic expressions and shifts in research methodologies.

In the following session, Zhang Lei and Jovana Zhang, founders of the PINWU Design Studio and Rong Design Library, shared innovative practices from their international research team. They delved into traditional Chinese casting, woodblock printing, and weaving techniques, applying these ancient crafts to architectural and urban material records. Their designs emphasized sustainability, offering fresh perspectives on transforming traditional Chinese crafts into modern design.

Zhao expressed his delight at attending the art salon, commending Guangxi Normal University Press Group for organizing such a high-level cultural publishing event in the UK. He highlighted the honor of international publishing collaboration and exchanges, underscoring the event's success in bridging cultures and fostering global appreciation for Chinese art and craftsmanship.