Guizhou handmade paper exhibition kicks off in Guiyang

An exhibition showcasing Guizhou handmade paper is underway in Guiyang. [Photo/colorful Guizhou network]

An exhibition of art created with Guizhou handmade papers opened at the Guizhou Art Museum in Guiyang, capital of Southwest China's Guizhou province, on May 7.

The exhibition is part of the National Art Fund's 2023 Communication and Promotion Project.

After two years of preparation, this exhibition has been held at the China Art Museum, the Shanghai Haipai Art Museum, and the Chongqing Art Museum, before marking the Guizhou Art Museum as its final tour venue.

In 1942, China's famous painter Xu Beihong visited Guiyang five times, holding three painting exhibitions and creating numerous works that used Guizhou handmade paper.

Xu discovered that Guizhou handmade paper was superior to other similar materials. Its suitability for bold brushstrokes and ink absorption is what makes it better than traditional Xuan paper.

In line with Xu Beihong's innovative approach to painting using Guizhou handmade paper, the Guizhou Art Museum and the Guizhou Provincial Artists Association invited over 260 national artists to learn about ancient papermaking techniques in Anshun, Guizhou.

Over 400 artworks were created using Guizhou handmade paper, which expanded the artistic potential of traditional techniques, and provided new pathways for artistic material innovation.

The exhibition selected 100 pieces of artwork to showcase, with each piece depicting the contemporary artists' impressions and stories of Guizhou. This exhibition also highlights the artists' efforts in promoting the protection and inheritance of China's intangible cultural heritage.