On March 26, the University of Macau’s Language and Culture Day commenced with great fanfare. Among the event’s highlights was the “Art of Blooms: Chinese Painting and Poetry Experience,” in E21A-G040 hosted by Professor Zhang Yan from the Department of Arts and Design. This unique and engaging workshop attracted numerous participants interested in Chinese art, offering them the opportunity to experience the charm of brush and ink while exploring the profound intersection between traditional culture and modern exchange.
The workshop focused on Chinese floral painting as its creative theme. Under the professional guidance of Professor Zhang, participants learned the distinctive brush techniques and compositional methods of Chinese painting. By employing either the meticulous gongbi style or the expressive Xieyi style, they vividly depicted traditional flowers. Throughout the creative process, participants not only discovered the expressive power of Chinese painting—conveying meaning through objects and capturing spirit through brushwork—but also gained a deeper understanding of the cultural essence and spiritual depth of traditional Chinese art.
Notably, after completing their paintings, participants combined the imagery and emotions of their artwork with personal reflections by writing poems, phrases, or messages in their native or familiar languages. These written elements added unique cultural imprints to each piece, creating works that seamlessly blended brushstroke and text. Each artwork became a bridge for dialogue between Eastern and Western cultures, demonstrating how art can transcend linguistic boundaries and evoke a universal resonance.
The workshop drew participants from diverse cultural backgrounds, who not only experienced the profound beauty of Chinese culture but also engaged in meaningful cross-cultural exchanges. Many expressed that the workshop was a rare artistic journey, providing them with a new way to communicate with the world through creativity. They found inspiration and emotional connection through the merging of cultures.
The “Art of Blooms: Chinese Painting and Poetry Experience,” as part of the University of Macau’s Language and Culture Day, showcased the unique charm of traditional Chinese art while serving as an important platform for fostering cultural exchange and understanding. By using art as a medium, the event wove a vibrant dialogue between Eastern and Western cultures through the interplay of brushstrokes and words.
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