I am honored to receive the Outstanding Artist in Residence Award during the APICAIA Summer Festival, hosted at the Municipality of Sesto San Giovanni, Italy. It was also a pleasure to meet the Mayor and introduce my artistic practice and the world of Orange Rabbit to local visitors.
This recognition marks another meaningful step in my journey as a Chinese artist based in Milan, where my work explores the dialogue between Eastern philosophy and Western visual culture.
During the festival, I shared my ongoing fairy-tale project, Downstream: The Fantastic Journey of the Orange Rabbit, a story that has become the heart of my artistic practice.
The project received the 2025 Hans Christian Andersen Fairy Tale Award (Foreign Fairy Tale category) and continues to grow through paintings, illustrations, exhibitions, and storytelling.
The Orange Rabbit is more than a character—it represents the curious, authentic self embarking on an inner journey. Throughout the story, the rabbit encounters symbolic companions such as the Shadow Rabbit, the Joyful Parrot, the Wolf, the Turtle, and the Elephant. Each embodies a different aspect of the psyche, inviting readers to explore themes of inner growth, vitality, intuition, shadow integration, and the wonder of everyday life.
Influenced by Jungian psychology, Chinese Taoist philosophy, and mythology, I see fairy tales not as an escape from reality, but as a way of returning to life with renewed curiosity and awareness. Through symbols and imagination, I hope to create what I often describe as "a warm sense of mystery"—an invitation to reconnect with our inner world while rediscovering the beauty hidden in ordinary moments.
As an Artist in Residence with APICAIA (Asian Pacific International Cultural & Artistic Interchange Association), I am grateful to participate in initiatives that promote cultural dialogue between Italy and China. APICAIA brings together artists, designers, cultural institutions, and local communities through exhibitions, artist residencies, educational programs, and international exchange projects, fostering mutual understanding through art and creativity.
Living and working in Milan has profoundly shaped my artistic language. My Chinese cultural roots, combined with years of experience in Italy, have encouraged me to explore a visual language where Taoist philosophy, mythology, contemporary art, and fairy tales naturally meet.
I believe that art can become a bridge—not only between cultures, but also between the outer world and our inner landscape.
I sincerely thank APICAIA, the Municipality of Sesto San Giovanni, and everyone who visited the exhibition. Every conversation reminded me that fairy tales still have the power to connect people across languages and cultures.
