Culture beyond borders
Documentary delves into the work of foreigners who have embraced traditional arts in China
A documentary featuring international artists in China recently aired on Bilibili and several other online platforms.
Journey to China: Resonance of Art was a joint effort between the international department of People’s Daily and film production company Figure.
It focused on the study, work, and lives of young international artists in China with the aim of presenting the significant role of cultural exchange and mutual learning in fostering artistic development from a unique perspective.
“For many people, the perception might still be focused on Chinese artists going abroad to study and create,” said Cao Yanhong, the documentary’s producer.
“After thorough research and understanding, we found numerous examples around us of foreign artists who have begun living and creating artworks in China, which is worth documenting,” Cao added.
Allan Denis Naymark is one of the three artists featured in the film. He is among many Western artists who have stayed in the “capital of porcelain”, Jingdezhen, East China’s Jiangxi province, to pursue the art.
Influenced by his archaeologist father, Naymark developed a strong interest in ancient Chinese ceramics as a youth and started learning pottery
at the age of 8.
He came to Jingdezhen to pursue ceramics art and has been there since 2015.
“It’s nice that people from all over the world in the field of ceramic art gather here,” Naymark said.
Armenian violinist Astghik Poghosyan also featured in the documentary. Her childhood dream was realized when she got to study violin at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music in 2009.
She longed to visit China as a child, influenced by Hua Mulan, a legendary heroine from the Southern and Northern Dynasties (420-581).
After graduation, she applied for a work permit in Shanghai and joined the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra as an assistant to the conductor.
For the past 14 years, Poghosyan has been exposed to Chinese culture, learning crafts, playing music, enjoying cuisine, and experiencing the friendliness of the people.
“Shanghai indeed is a place where my dream started,” she said.
In the documentary, Giacomo Bruni from Italy showed his affection for traditional Chinese painting.
As an exchange student to China in 2012, Bruni got to know the school of painting typical of southern China. It sparked his interest in traditional Chinese painting and led him to decide to pursue Chinese landscape painting studies at the China Academy of Art in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province.
Bruni believes Chinese landscape painting is complex and carries a deep meaning.
“Chinese painting is not a visual representation of things but a spiritual one,” he said.
Years of practice have enabled him to excel in landscape painting, seal engraving, woodblock printing and rubbings.
And he has become an active promoter of traditional Chinese art. In Italy, he has launched a series of projects — including exhibitions, seminars and workshops — to promote Chinese painting.
“My dream is to establish an art school one day in Europe for students to study Chinese art,” he said.
Xin Wen, chief director of the documentary, said she did not expect so many foreigners to be so deeply involved in China’s intricate social fabric.
“They truly see themselves as a part of Chinese social life,” Xin said.
“This also reflects the inclusiveness and influence of Chinese culture. They can seamlessly and naturally adopt a variety of lifestyles without barriers.”