On the afternoon of August 12, the Hu Wensui Art Gallery hosted the opening ceremony of the Exhibition of Award-Winning Works from 2026 "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreigners across the Globe - Calligraphy and Painting Challenge. Distinguished guests included Xue Peijian, former Deputy Secretary-General of the Shanghai Municipal Government; Hu Kao, Director of the Hu Wensui Art Gallery; Zhang Shangmin, Executive Director; and Professor Zhou Bin, President of the Shanghai Folk Culture Society, Tenured Professor at the School of Humanities of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and Director of the Institute of International Communication of Chinese Calligraphy Culture. More than 30 award-winning student artists attended the event. Teachers from the Calligraphy and Painting Teaching Group of the Huangpu District Youth Art Activity Center, students from the "Hu Wensui Calligraphy Study Class," and the student calligraphy and painting group also participated. The ceremony was moderated by Mo Xiaoling, Assistant for the Dean of the School of Humanities at Shanghai Jiao Tong University.
In her opening speech, Ms. Mo introduced the exhibition's theme: "Calligraphy Bridges Cultures, Painting a Shared Future." The exhibition features 908 calligraphy and painting works submitted by participants from 83 countries. Notably, some award-winning pieces have moved from the digital platform to the physical gallery, offering creators from diverse cultural backgrounds and local Shanghai audiences a rare opportunity for face-to-face interaction. Since its inception, the "Chinese Bridge" Global Chinese Language Conference for Foreigners has consistently inspired Chinese learners worldwide, fueling their passion for the language and their desire to understand Chinese culture.
Speaking on behalf of the summer camp faculty, Professor Zhou Bin extended warm congratulations and a heartfelt welcome to the award-winning participants who traveled from afar. He reflected on the artistic journey of the late Master Hu Wensui and outlined the founding background and development history of the art gallery. Professor Zhou emphasized the profound significance of the exhibition, stating, "Art knows no borders; beauty is the common language of humanity." He encouraged the young artists to return to their home countries with a deep love for Chinese culture, to continue honing their crafts, and to use their brushes to tell the world stories of China, friendship, and beauty.
Director Hu Kao noted that this exhibition transcends national, linguistic, and cultural differences. By using Chinese calligraphy and painting as a unifying thread, it connects art enthusiasts from all walks of life. He described the gathering as an unforgettable moment that will become a cherished cultural memory. The Hu Wensui Art Gallery expressed its commitment to hosting similar cultural exchange events in the future, fostering deeper understanding and lasting friendships among art lovers through the medium of ink and color.
Following the opening ceremony, guests and participating artists posed for a commemorative group photo. The event then moved to a hands-on workshop where the young artists sat at tables alongside Chinese children to collaborate on creating art on traditional folding fans. The session evolved naturally from observing each other's brush techniques to discussing the meanings of characters and exchanging ideas on composition. Finally, participants added strokes of color and inscribed blessings on the small fans, which served as tangible symbols of the cross-cultural understanding they were building.
During the interactive session, Chinese students demonstrated the delicate control of the brush—lifting, pressing, turning, and folding—to help their international peers write their favorite Chinese characters. In turn, the foreign participants shared their unique perspectives on color, composition, and the sentiment behind their blessings, working together to define the themes of their artwork. As they passed brushes, ground ink, and swapped works, they grew closer, experiencing the joy of collaborative art creation.
Upon completing their works, the participants held up their fans to share their creations and took final group photos. This exhibition highlights how art enthusiasts from around the world perceive and love Chinese culture. By facilitating on-site co-creation, it encourages participants of different ages and backgrounds to move beyond passive appreciation and into active cultural exchange. Calligraphy and painting here serve not just as static art on walls, but as dynamic cultural bridges connecting tradition with the contemporary, and China with the world.
Text| Xie
Yiyang
Photography| Chen Rui
