Massimo Pulini uses local natural clay slurry as paint on velvet canvas in Longquan, a county-level city in Lishui, Zhejiang province. [Photo/Tide News]

A China-Italy art exhibition opened during the National Day holiday in Xitou village in Longquan, a county-level city in Lishui, Zhejiang province, recognized as one of the Best Tourism Villages by the United Nations World Tourism Organization.

Italian art historian and painter Massimo Pulini joined Longquan celadon artisans to bring European classical art and Eastern celadon culture together in the countryside.

Curated by Hong Lingling, a Longquan native living in Italy, the exhibition featured joint creations with Longquan celadon artisans including Hu Shaofen, Huang Shunming, Ding Junliang, and Zhang Yingying.

Twenty cross-disciplinary original works blended Western classical expression with Song-dynasty celadon elegance, attracting many holiday visitors and art lovers.

Ding Junliang said artisans provided celadon blanks for the Italian artist and held repeated discussions. All works were fired in a dragon kiln at over 1,000 C. The new pieces broke from traditional celadon styles, offering unique textures and fresh forms while inspiring local artisans.

Pulini's improvised performance was a highlight. He used local natural clay slurry as paint on velvet canvas, drawing spectators to watch and take photos.

On his first visit to rural Longquan, Pulini was captivated by its scenery and celadon heritage. He blended Western understandings of nature and rivers with Eastern landscape traditions and ceramic art, sparking new artistic ideas.