Innovative cork artworks highlight sustainability in Beijing

Oliveira added that the material's potential for upcycling and creative reuse could further expand its role in contemporary art.

"Cork also invites artists to explore nature and the environment through their work," he said. "Its suitability for upcycling and creative reuse opens up new possibilities for artistic expression, giving the material fresh forms and renewed purpose."

Cork is harvested from the bark of cork oak trees without cutting down or permanently damaging the trees. The bark regenerates after harvesting, allowing the process to be repeated.

The material is renewable, reusable and recyclable, and has long been associated with the relationship between human activity and the natural environment.

At the Beijing festival, those characteristics are being considered alongside contemporary artistic practices, with cork serving as a medium through which artists examine connections among nature, space, memory and human relationships.