Visitors appreciate the paintings from Gansu Painting Academy at Yamanashi Gakuin University in Japan. [Photo/gswbj.gov.cn]

The Dunhuang Attire, a Gansu Painting Academy art exhibition jointly organized by Gansu Painting Academy and Yamanashi Gakuin University kicked off at Yamanashi Gakuin University in Japan on Oct 25.

The exhibition, a major event promoting China-Japan cultural exchange, was held to coincide with the sixth anniversary of the Confucius Institute at the university. It uses Dunhuang art to foster connections and features both an exhibition and interactive painting sessions.

Dunhuang, a monument of Silk Road culture, embodies a century of Dunhuang art research shared by both nations.

This began with Japanese academic exploration in 1910 and continued through the dedication of artists like Ikuo Hirayama, Daisaku Ikeda, and Chang Shuhong, who worked to preserve and promote Dunhuang art.

The appreciation for this cultural treasure is deeply rooted in both cultures. The exhibition pays homage to Dunhuang's unique artistic charm as a human art treasure trove and reflects contemporary artists' efforts to inherit and innovate upon this heritage.

The displayed works from Gansu Painting Academy were diverse, exploring the original mineral pigments of Dunhuang, expressing the grandeur of the Silk Road landscape, blending classical and modern elements, and showcasing Gansu's cultural characteristics. Over 100 faculty, students, and calligraphy enthusiasts visited the exhibition and observed Chinese painting and calligraphy demonstrations.

The exhibition included guided tours and Chinese painting demonstration classes, allowing more people to experience the allure of Dunhuang art and Chinese culture.