New Exhibition Reveals Extraordinary Chinese-British Collaboration

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Winnie Wong, a professor at the University of California, Berkeley, received an unexpected call in the summer of 2019 while on vacation that would lead her to uncover an extraordinary tale of collaboration between Chinese and British artists. This discovery has now culminated in a new exhibition that sheds light on this little-known chapter of cultural exchange.

Why it matters

The exhibition provides a rare glimpse into the rich history of artistic and intellectual exchange between China and the UK, challenging common narratives that often focus on geopolitical tensions. By highlighting this story of cross-cultural cooperation, the exhibition offers a more nuanced understanding of the longstanding cultural ties between the two nations.

The details

While on holiday, Wong received a call from a relative who had stumbled upon a trove of historical documents and artwork that had been passed down through their family for generations. These materials documented a remarkable partnership in the early 20th century between a group of Chinese artists and their British counterparts, who had collaborated on a series of groundbreaking projects that blended Eastern and Western artistic traditions.

• In the summer of 2019, Winnie Wong received the call about the historical documents while on vacation.
• The new exhibition showcasing this story of Chinese-British collaboration is set to open in the spring of 2026.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The exhibition is expected to draw visitors from around the world who are interested in exploring the rich history of cultural collaboration between China and the UK.