Art connects China and Thailand through seasons

Chen Yuqiu, chairman of the Sanjiang Artists Association, introduced Sanjiang as the Guangxi's only Dong Autonomous County and home to China's largest Dong population among the country's five Dong autonomous counties.

"Sanjiang folk painting is known for its distinctive themes, exaggerated forms, and bright colors."

She said the art form preserves the cultural memory of the Dong people while continuing to evolve through village-based creative programs, school art education and partnerships with universities, fostering artists through generations. She also invited Thai visitors to experience the traditions of the Dong community firsthand by visiting Sanjiang.

In the subsequent youth dialogue salon, Chinese and Thai scholars and artists took part in discussions on Sanjiang Dong paintings. Six guests explored the art form from their respective academic and cultural perspectives.

Visitors also joined an interactive workshop session led by Chen Yuqiu who explained the creative concepts behind her paintings before inviting students to paint their own versions using traditional Dong-inspired patterns and designs.

The session gave participants an opportunity to interpret the colorful folk art through their own creativity while experiencing an important element of China's living cultural heritage.