The “Harmony of China” theme exhibition was recently held at the historic Royal Mint in London as part of the 2024 London Craft Week. This year marks the tenth anniversary of London Craft Week, and the China Art and Design Magazine organized the “Harmony of China” exhibition to showcase the outstanding achievements and innovative developments in contemporary Chinese handicrafts, promoting cultural exchange and mutual appreciation.
London Craft Week, launched every early summer, is one of the world’s most important cultural events dedicated to craftsmanship. It aims to provide a platform for global artisans, fostering interactions between international and local, historical and contemporary, commercial and cultural exchanges.
The “Harmony of China” exhibition is divided into four main sections: clothing, ceramics, lacquerware, and bamboo weaving, each demonstrating the unique craftsmanship and deep cultural heritage of Chinese handicrafts.
Clothing Section: The clothing section highlights the rich experience and high artistic value accumulated in the design, weaving, dyeing, and embroidery of Chinese ethnic costumes. Featured prominently are the traditional costumes of the Han, Miao, and Yi ethnic groups. Designers like A Xin from the Miao ethnicity, Lei Wenwen from the Yi ethnicity, and the clothing brand De Xi Jian Qiu showcased distinctive works, reflecting the vibrant pulse of Chinese ethnic clothing culture.
A Xin, a Miao designer, explained that since the Miao people do not have their own written language, they record their history and migration stories through embroidery on their clothing, earning the nickname “history books on the body” for their attire. His mother’s dress, started when she was 18, reveals embroidery both new and old, with patches added over different periods. Each ethnic subgroup has unique patterns and designs.
Ceramics Section: The ceramics section prominently features contemporary Longquan celadon and Jizhou kiln ceramics, showcasing two distinct styles of traditional and export ceramics.
Lacquerware and Bamboo Weaving Sections: In the lacquerware section, various exquisite pieces are displayed, highlighting traditional techniques and modern innovations. The bamboo weaving section includes the intricate work titled “Stone as Cloud Roots,” which uses hexagonal weaving to create a structure resembling stones, yet light and airy, evoking the shapes of clouds and stones with an enchanting charm.
Cultural Performances: Dancers from the local dance group “UK-China Performing Arts” wore outfits designed by De Xi Jian Qiu, a national intangible cultural heritage brand, performing a segment from the dance drama “Ode to Spring,” which captivated audiences during the Dragon Year Spring Festival Gala. The dance drama, produced by the Shenzhen Opera and Dance Theatre, is scheduled to perform at London’s Sadler’s Wells Theatre from August 30 to September 7, with a total of 12 shows.
Exhibition Impact and Participation: London Craft Week chairman Salter highlighted the event’s growth from over 70 activities in its first year to over 500 this year, involving more than 700 artists and attracting over 250,000 visitors, underscoring the importance of creativity in bringing people together.
Chinese Minister Counselor to the UK Zhao Fei noted that this year marks the largest and most diverse participation by China in London Craft Week. He emphasized that traditional crafts play a crucial role in China’s cultural heritage, rural revitalization, and poverty alleviation, contributing significantly to the country’s green, low-carbon, and sustainable development.
Qian Zhu, president of the China Art and Design Magazine, mentioned that the exhibition features 54 artists and over 70 works rooted in Chinese culture. These works reflect the will of the Chinese people, align with the progress and development of China and the times, and tell stories of the diverse unity of the Chinese nation, the empowerment of ethnic regions through crafts, and the integration of traditional crafts into modern life.