25 international students learn traditional Chinese painting at CUHK-Shenzhen

Around 25 international students at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen (CUHK-Shenzhen) learned traditional Chinese painting in a cultural workshop exploring Chinese culture.

A group photo of participants at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen (CUHK-Shenzhen) learning traditional Chinese painting. Photos courtesy of CUHK-Shenzhen

Degree and exchange students from 10 countries, including Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, France, Indonesia, Italy, Russia, Switzerland, Thailand and the U.S., learned to paint bamboo, orchids and plum blossoms from Dai Weizhong, an accomplished traditional Chinese painter.

Dai emphasised that brush control is the core of the art form, teaching key techniques including cangfeng (hiding the brush tip), zhongfeng (holding the tip centrally) and huifeng (returning the tip), telling participants: “When you paint, don’t move your fingers, move from your wrist.”

Dai Weizhong, an accomplished traditional Chinese painter, teaches how to control brush.

For Ira Giligson, an exchange student from The University of British Columbia in Canada, the workshop was a first exposure to the art form. “I never tried Chinese painting before,” he said. “Using the brush is so cool. It was a lot of fun and worth the time.”

Wesley Zhou, an exchange student from Rutgers University in the US, grew up around Chinese cultural traditions and jumped at the chance to try the painting. “My mother does Chinese calligraphy, so I’ve always been interested in Chinese painting,” Zhou said. “It’s my first time trying it, and the workshop format is really nice. Everyone gets to immerse themselves in the experience and become part of the culture.”

Two international students show their works.

DanaKalambaeva, a second-year CUHK-Shenzhen student from Russia, said the quiet, hands-on practice drew her out of her shell. “It’s such an interesting experience to have an expert show you how to do something new and help you along the way,” she said. “We got to dive straight into this traditional atmosphere, painting with brushes on rice paper. It felt like we were really immersed in Chinese culture.”

Two international students enjoy their paintings.

The workshop was co-organized by CUHK-Shenzhen’s Office of Academic Links (OAL), the University Arts Center and the Duan Family College. It is also part of the OAL Chinese Cultural Workshop Series, which aims to give international students opportunities to experience Chinese culture.