Exhibition "Symphony of the Four Seasons: Folk Paintings from China's Sanjiang" opened on July 6 at the Museum of Assumption University's Suvarnabhumi Campus in Thailand. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
The exhibition "Symphony of the Four Seasons: Folk Paintings from China's Sanjiang" opened on July 6, 2026, at the Museum of Assumption University's Suvarnabhumi Campus in Thailand, bringing the vibrant traditions of Dong folk art to an international audience.
Guided by the UNESCO Chair on Rural Creativity and Sustainable Development, the exhibition is jointly organized by the Institute for Cultural Industries of Peking University, Assumption University, and the Federation of Literary and Art Circles of Sanjiang Dong Autonomous County. It is also part of the "Encountering the Beauty of the East: Peking University Intangible Cultural Heritage Inheritance and Innovation Program."
The exhibition "Symphony of the Four Seasons: Folk Paintings from China's Sanjiang" opened on July 6, 2026, at the Museum of Assumption University's Suvarnabhumi Campus in Thailand, bringing the vibrant traditions of Dong folk art to an international audience. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
Using "the four seasons" as its narrative thread, the exhibition presents a collection of folk paintings from Sanjiang, Guangxi, depicting the rhythms of spring growth, summer flourish, autumn harvest, and winter storage. Through vivid colors and expressive imagery, the works capture the landscapes, customs, and everyday life of the Dong ethnic group while offering Thai audiences a glimpse into the vitality of China's rural communities.
The exhibition is one of a series of cultural exchange events celebrating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Thailand. Alongside the display of artworks, the exhibition features guided tours, youth dialogue salons, cultural and creative products, and painting workshops, encouraging Thai and international audiences to engage directly with Dong culture.
The exhibition "Symphony of the Four Seasons: Folk Paintings from China's Sanjiang" opened on July 6, 2026, at the Museum of Assumption University's Suvarnabhumi Campus in Thailand, bringing the vibrant traditions of Dong folk art to an international audience. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Assistant Professor Kitti Phothikitti, vice president of Assumption University, described art as a universal language that transcends borders and cultures. He said the exhibition not only highlights the rich heritage of the Dong people but also reflects the achievements in rural vitalization and cultural development in contemporary China.
"Assumption University has consistently adhered to an internationalized educational philosophy and has established deep cooperative relationships with many Chinese universities and cultural organizations in recent years. This exhibition is a significant reflection of the deepening cooperation in higher education and cultural exchange between China and Thailand," he said.
The exhibition "Symphony of the Four Seasons: Folk Paintings from China's Sanjiang" opened on July 6, 2026, at the Museum of Assumption University's Suvarnabhumi Campus in Thailand, bringing the vibrant traditions of Dong folk art to an international audience. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
He expressed hope that the event would deepen Thai students' understanding of Chinese rural art while strengthening friendship between young people from the two countries.
Exhibition curator Xiang Yong, a professor at Peking University's School of Arts and the director of its Institute for Cultural Industries, shared memories of his visits to Dong villages, and explained why the exhibition is organized around the changing seasons. He said every ethnic group and region has its unique understanding of spring, summer, autumn, and winter.
"The value of Sanjiang Dong paintings lies not only in their artistic expression but also in the confidence they reflect in China's rural culture," he said. Xiang added that the exhibition is the result of years of academic cooperation and mutual trust between Peking University and Assumption University, expressing hope for deeper collaboration in rural creativity and sustainable development.
The exhibition "Symphony of the Four Seasons: Folk Paintings from China's Sanjiang" opened on July 6, 2026, at the Museum of Assumption University's Suvarnabhumi Campus in Thailand, bringing the vibrant traditions of Dong folk art to an international audience. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
Chen Yuqiu, chairman of the Sanjiang Artists Association, introduced Sanjiang as 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.
The exhibition "Symphony of the Four Seasons: Folk Paintings from China's Sanjiang" opened on July 6, 2026, at the Museum of Assumption University's Suvarnabhumi Campus in Thailand, bringing the vibrant traditions of Dong folk art to an international audience. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
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.
The exhibition "Symphony of the Four Seasons: Folk Paintings from China's Sanjiang" opened on July 6, 2026, at the Museum of Assumption University's Suvarnabhumi Campus in Thailand, bringing the vibrant traditions of Dong folk art to an international audience. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
