Short Introduction of the Project Activities
To celebrate the 2026 International Chinese Language Day, the Academy of Fine Arts of the University of Sarajevo, the Confucius Institute, and the “Fuqi Lacquer Art Workshop” of the Academy of Fine Arts of Minjiang University jointly organize a Chinese Lacquer Art Exhibition and Workshop Experience. It is hoped that this event will help enhance exchanges and mutual learning between Chinese and Bosnian-Herzegovinian artists.
This exhibition will present 38 lacquer paintings and some other lacquer artworks by contemporary Chinese lacquer artists. The exhibits span diverse explorations of traditional craftsmanship and modern aesthetics. This is the first time Chinese lacquer artworks have been exhibited in Bosnia and Herzegovina. To complement the exhibition, a “Fuqi Lacquer Art Workshop” experience will be held simultaneously, allowing participants to personally experience the essence of Chinese lacquer art. It is also hoped that through interaction and exchange with lacquer art experts, participants will be inspired to develop their own artistic creativity.
This event is sponsored by the Center for Language Education and Cooperation (CLEC), and organized by the Academy of Fine Arts of the University of Sarajevo, the Confucius Institute, and the “Fuqi Lacquer Art Workshop” of the Academy of Fine Arts of Minjiang University. The exhibition runs from 27 to 29 April 2026, and the “Fuqi Lacquer Art Workshop” experience will be held on 28 April from 9:00 to 12:00.
The opening ceremony of the exhibition will take place on 27 April 2026 at 10:00 in the gallery of the Academy of Fine Arts, followed by an academic lecture and Q&A session by lacquer art expert Dr. Jin Hui.
Introduction to Chinese Lacquer Art and the Exhibition
Lacquer art originated in China and has a history of over 8,000 years. It stands as a quintessential example of the integration of material culture and handcraftsmanship among China’s intangible cultural heritage items. As one of the most significant forms of material culture in Asia, it is often hailed as the “cultural gene of Asia.”
To celebrate the 2026 International Chinese Language Day, the Academy of Fine Arts of the University of Sarajevo and the Confucius Institute jointly organize this exhibition and workshop on Chinese lacquer art. Under the theme “Chinese + Art: Illuminating Colorful Dreams,” the event aims to foster exchange and mutual learning between Chinese and Bosnian-Herzegovinian artists.
This exhibition features 38 lacquer paintings and a selection of other lacquer artworks by contemporary Chinese lacquer artists. Spanning traditional craftsmanship and modern aesthetic explorations, this is the first time Chinese lacquer art is being exhibited in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In conjunction with the exhibition, a hands-on Chinese lacquer workshop will be held, offering participants the opportunity to experience the essence of Chinese lacquer art firsthand. It is hoped that through interaction and dialogue with lacquer art experts, participants will be inspired to unlock their own unique artistic creativity.
Event Schedule
the exhibition will be set up at 13:00 on 24th of April
April 27, Monday, 2026
10:00-12:00 Opening ceremony of the Exhibition and Workshop
Location: The gallery of the Academy of Fine Arts
Activities:
- Speech by the representative from the Embassy of PRC in BiH
- Speech by the Rector of University of Sarajevo
- Speech by the representative of Academy of Fine Arts, University of Sarajevo
- Speech by the Expert from China
- Speech by the LocalDirector of Confucius Institute
- Coffee break
12:30-14:00 Academic Lecture by Chinese Lacquer Art Experts
Speaker: Professor Jin Hui
Topic: Contemporary Chinese Lacquer Art and International Exchange and Cooperation
Location: The gallery of the Academy of Fine Arts with equipment to display slides
14:00-15:00 Q&A Session
Host: Professor Jin Hui
April 28, Tuesday, 2026
9:00-12:00 Fuqi Lacquer Art Workshop
Location: The gallery of the Academy of Fine Arts
Topic: To experience how to use lacquer tools and materials to create artwork
Details: 20 participants
12:00-13:00 Visit of Chinese lacquer art experts to the Academy of Fine art and a discussion between Dean and professors from the Academy of Fine Arts and the Lacquer art experts from China
April 29, Wednesday, 2026
14:00 Dismantling of the exhibition and the end of the event
Brief Biography of the Lecturer
Jin Hui, Ph.D.
Visiting Scholar at the University of Cambridge and the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A). Professor and Doctoral Supervisor at Shanghai University, Dean of the Academy of Fine Arts at Minjiang University, and Shanghai Master of Arts and Crafts.
Executive Director of the Asian Lacquer Art Institute, Deputy Director of the Lacquer Art Committee of the China National Arts and Crafts Society, Member of the Lacquer Painting Art Committee of the China Artists Association, Director of the Shanghai Artists Association, Director of the Lacquer Painting Art Committee of the Shanghai Artists Association, Deputy Director of the Lacquer Painting Art Committee of the Fujian Artists Association, Deputy Director of the Lacquer Art Committee of the Shanghai Arts and Crafts Association, Member of the Asian Lacquer Art Exchange Project Committee, and Expert in Industrial Design at the International Cooperation Center of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.
His research focuses on traditional crafts and material culture. His works have been selected for over 40 national-level exhibitions and are held in important institutions including the Victoria and Albert Museum (UK).
He has served as a juror for national-level exhibitions, including the 13th and 14th National Art Exhibitions and the National Vocational Skills Competition. He curated the 2019 Asian Lacquer Art Exchange Project (Shanghai) Exhibition, the 5th National Lacquer Painting Exhibition, the First Traditional Crafts Research Forum, the Shanghai Academy of Fine Arts Cambridge Craft Exhibition, the Shanghai Academy of Fine Arts Craft Exhibition Tour in Thailand, the 2024 International Forum of Deans of Arts and Crafts Education, and the 2025 Fuzhou “Craft and Urban Development” Forum. He has led projects including the National Social Science Fund Art Project, the National Arts Fund Individual Creation Project, the National Arts Fund Talent Training Project, the Provincial Philosophy and Social Sciences Project, and the Tsinghua University Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Project. He received the Special Prize for Provincial Teaching Achievement. He was also invited to give a keynote speech at the 36th World Congress of Art History (Lyon, France).
