As the summer is in full swing, we invited all those interested in Chinese culture to the last painting workshop of this academic year with our beloved, already four-times visiting Ukrainian-Chinese artist from Germany Qi Xiaoting [Chi Shaoting]
This time we organised 2 workshops. On the first day, we painted irises 鸢尾花 yuānwěihuā, which in Chinese culture is an honourable flower often associated with the promise of good news. It is a plant that announces that summer has arrived. In China, this flower is identified with and often referred to as the 'purple butterfly', which evokes admiration and creates images of transformation.
During our second meeting with the artist, we delved into the painting of one of the most important symbols in Chinese culture - peaches 桃子táozi. This fruit hides multiple meanings. It is not only a harbinger of spring, of awakening, but also a symbol of fertility. Ancient warriors used to make weapons from the wood of the peach tree, which was said to protect against evil. Peach petals were considered magical; they were used to flavour tea to give people unearthly powers. The peach is perhaps the most commonly used peach in visual art and literature.
Thank you to the many participants and see you in the autumn!