On April 25th, theInternationalFacultyCenterheld a much-appreciated artistic event at Yannan 50,Colors of Ink ·Journey Through Art. Participating international faculty members were treated with an art exhibition tour and hands-on ink-color painting, an enchanted and immersive experience of traditional Chinese painting and calligraphy.
The event opened with theVitality of Life – Invitational Exhibition of Small Masterpieces by Chinese Women Artists,jointly organized by the China Women Painters Association, PKU’s School of Arts, and the University’s Conference Center. Three artists of the China Women Painters Association -- An Jia and Wang Yifan, Vice Presidents, and Xu Dongqing, Executive Director – guided international faculty members with their artistic insights into 60 exquisite works by 21 contemporary women artists. From the subtle gradients of ink wash to the precision offine brushwork, from the expressive freehand style to contemporary innovations, the paintings showcased the artists' profound interpretations of the vitality of life while embodying the resilient, inclusive, and warm spirit of the time.
Under the guidance of artistic instructors, participating faculty members picked up brushes to create their own works, depicting flowers, birds, fish, and insects; and through variations in ink intensity, they experienced the Chinese aesthetic principle of "embodying essential spirit informs." As they practiced writing the character "福" (fortune), they likewise sensed the rhythmic elegance of calligraphic strokes. Each brushstroke on rice paper or a circle fan became an artistic exploration of Chinese aesthetic concepts. Participants gave high praise for the event, appreciating the enthusiastic and insightful guides to the special exhibition and the expert painting guidance: a rich experience witnessing the beauty of blending ink and color pigments, and at the same time sensing the delicate yet profound aesthetic substance of the East.
TheInternationalFacultyCenterwill continue to serve as a distinctive platform of cultural exchanges of Peking University, by developing more opportunities for international faculty members to experience and appreciate the essence of Chinese culture.
