The First Art and Design Fair Launched in the UK Celebrating East Asian Aesthetics

Winter Blossom Art Fair is coming to the capital for its first instalment held at China Exchange, London Chinatown, from Friday 9th – Sunday 11th November 2018. It is a unique arts and design fair inspired by East Asian aesthetic, celebrating outstanding cultural and international creativity. The festival will run over 3 days bringing together fifteen art stalls hosted by emerging artists, designers and boutiques as well as an engaging programme of free events.

There will be an eclectic selection of artists who have applied East Asian cultures in their art practice. Rachel Newton takes Kingtsugi - the Japanese art of mending broken ceramics with gold – as a technique to weave golden thread in her abstract works; Chalice Mitchell’s paintings offer alternative representations of femininity and power which are deeply influenced by ink and brush painting from China and Japan; Damien Borowik currently exhibiting at V&A Museum has travelled extensively in East Asia and produced images with his drawing machines to reflect his navigation among the rich cultures; Japanese photographer Nobuyuki Kobayashi prints graceful and unique landscape photos on traditional handmade Japanese paper, Hosokawa-paper, to create portrait of nature.

Also exhibiting will be designers such as upcoming jewellery designer Isabella Liu who will bring her award winning collection. She was honoured with three gold and two silver awards at the Goldsmiths' Craftsmanship & Design Awards 2015, which are regarded as the 'Jewellery Oscars'. London based Couture Millinery Yuan Li is a fashion media favourite whose hats are show stoppers at Royal Ascot. Her dim sum inspired design will perfectly suit those wanting to make a quirky statement. Online design boutiques Toothpic Nations, Journey to the East Art Gallery and Hereal Art & Design will display some refreshing design works they typically represent online to meet the public offline. China Design Centre’s choice of ceramic works look to show how some of the young Chinese demographic are reinvigorating time-honoured ceramic art – blue and white ceramics.

Another highlight will be the culmination of a participation project Made in Chinatown by China Exchange working with local community to create craft works and raising funds for the local charities. Some talented volunteers from the local community centre will also sell their impressive art works to generate funds for the charity. The Muban Educational Trust with a focus on collecting, researching, exhibiting and promoting Chinese woodblock printmaking will present works by shortlisted and award winning Chinese artists from the Muban Awards. Christie’s Education will share their exciting art courses with visitors on the East Asian art world should the visitors want to explore more.

China Exchange Manager Helena Zhang said: “The Winter Blossom Fair will be the first of its kind in the UK focusing on the dispersion of East Asian aesthetics and providing a platform to promote talent. Often, people are amazed by how cultures evolve and influence each other across the geographic borders and as a cultural charity we are very proud to deliver an open festival with local talent so the public can discover more about the unfamiliar cultures and be inspired by the creative community. It is also a great opportunity for the public to own art directly from a wide range of designers and artists”.

Across three days there will be a series of free events for family and adults to attend.