Watercolor Works from Chinese Art Academies – until 24 January

Fusion of Horizons – International Touring Exhibition of Watercolor Works from Chinese Art Academies, a project supported by China National Arts Fund for communication, exchange, and promotion, is currently on display at China Cultural Center in Stockholm and will close on January 24. The exhibition has achieved remarkable results and generated extensive positive impact.

Looking back on the century-long development and evolution of Chinese watercolor painting, it can be summarized into three stages. The first stage, in the early 20th century, was marked by transformation and fusion. While learning Western watercolor techniques, artists creatively integrated them with China’s artistic traditions. By interchanging Western watercolor painting with Chinese ink painting, they drew on the strengths of both, combining the sketching and brush-and-ink techniques of Chinese painting to create distinctive Chinese watercolor works.

The second stage, in the mid-20th century, was characterized by challenges and breakthroughs. Chinese watercolor painting placed greater emphasis on the creation and expression of artistic conception from traditional Chinese art. While integrating the finest elements of Eastern and Western traditions, it remained rooted in national and local characteristics, forging a new image for watercolor painting that bridged East and West. The practice of Sinicizing watercolor painting not only preserved its unique features but also enriched its artistic language.

The third stage, from the 21st century onward, is defined by reshaping and self-awareness. In the context of globalization, the influence of Chinese watercolor painting in the global art scene has grown steadily. Driven by a uniquely Chinese aesthetic sensibility, it has fostered the development of artistic creation, constructing a new form of watercolor that embodies the spirit of China’s regional culture, integrates contemporary features, and meets the demands of the times. This achieves a blend of traditional spirit and contemporary artistic expression in the new era.

Fusion of Horizons – International Touring Exhibition of Watercolor Works from Chinese Art Academies, supported by China National Arts Fund, features a diverse range of themes. The works include heartfelt depictions of China’s landscapes, urban scenes, and the lives of its people; contemporary reinterpretations of traditional cultural spirit and philosophical reflections; and explorations and practices of individual inner worlds and formal language. These works are not mere displays of technical skill but carry profound reflections by the artists on contemporary society, culture, ecology, and individual existence, embodying the spirit of Chinese aesthetics.

Visitors to the exhibition have expressed admiration for the exquisite craftsmanship of Chinese watercolor art, with comments such as: “Unbelievable control of water and color,” “The transparency and layers are so rich,” “I can sense a different view of nature compared to Western landscape paintings,” and “The serene power in the works moved me.” Many art students, local watercolor artists, and watercolor enthusiasts noted that the exhibition provided a valuable learning opportunity, particularly praising the on-site workshops for enhancing their understanding of contemporary Chinese art. They expressed continued interest in related events.

In the future, China Cultural Center in Stockholm will actively build bridges for in-depth dialogue between Chinese and foreign watercolor art, disseminating the values and aesthetic pursuits of contemporary Chinese watercolor art.

We sincerely invite the public to visit the exhibition as the new year of 2026 begins and immerse themselves in the beauty of Chinese watercolor art.