The China Pavilion at the Malta Biennale 2026 officially opened on March 11 at Fort St Elmo in Valletta.
The exhibition, titled The Realm of Clarity: Ecological Foresight and Civilisational Exchange in Oriental Wisdom, is co-organised by the China Cultural Centre in Malta and the Department of Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism of Zhejiang Province, and is curated by the Zhejiang Art Museum. It will remain open to the public until May 29.
Aligned with the Malta Biennale’s theme Clean / Clear / Cut, the Chinese Pavilion brings together 19 works by 13 contemporary Chinese artists. Focusing on the philosophical and symbolic resonance of water, the exhibition considers ecological awareness, cultural exchange and the enduring relevance of Oriental wisdom in addressing shared global concerns.
In Chinese philosophy, water represents a profound metaphor for life and harmony. Both yielding and resilient, tranquil yet powerful, it nourishes all things without contention while mirroring the flow of time. Drawing on this tradition of thought, the exhibition explores the relationship between humanity and nature while encouraging dialogue across cultures.
Curated by Ying Jinfei, director of the Zhejiang Art Museum, the exhibition unfolds through two thematic chapters: Nourishing All Beings and Clarifying All Rivers. The first considers water as an ecological principle, emphasising balance, resilience and coexistence with nature. The second examines its cultural and emotional significance, revealing how its imagery resonates across civilisations.
The pavilion features artists who interpret water’s material and symbolic dimensions through diverse contemporary practices, including water-based woodblock printing, contemporary ink, watercolour and experimental paper sculpture.
Participating artists include Liang Quan, an internationally recognised pioneer of Chinese abstraction; Chen Jian, a leading figure in contemporary Chinese watercolour and senior academic at the China Academy of Art; and Chen Qi, an innovator in water-based woodblock printing whose work has appeared on the international biennale stage.
They are joined by prominent practitioners and educators Fang Limin, Ying Jinfei, and Wang Chao, alongside acclaimed contemporary paper artist Li Hongbo, renowned worldwide for his transformative sculptural works. Emerging voices Wang Xiao, Ji Renping, Cao Ou, Zhang Dazhen, Xu Chentao, and Dong Minjie are also featured.
During the opening ceremony, director of the China Cultural Centre in Malta, Chen Xiao, noted that the works presented serve not only as artistic creations but also as cultural dialogues reflecting Chinese perspectives on nature, life, and the universe. Through these works, she said, new opportunities arise for deeper exchange and mutual learning between China and Malta.
Chinese Ambassador Zhang Zuo remarked that the successful presentation of the Chinese Pavilion demonstrates how cultural exchange can foster understanding in a complex and changing world. He emphasised that such artistic dialogue contributes to building mutual respect and a shared vision among nations.
Curator Ying Jinfei, director of the Zhejiang Art Museum, explained that the exhibition draws inspiration from the Taoist idea that “the highest good is like water,” presenting water as a symbol of life, ethics and civilisation. Through media rooted in nature, the works transform traditional wisdom into a contemporary visual language while inviting reflection on humanity’s relationship with nature.
Malta Biennale president Mario Cutajar described the event as a dialogue between cultures, nations and generations. He noted the longstanding friendship between Malta and China and highlighted that the Chinese Pavilion was among the earliest submissions received for the biennale. He affirmed that the collaboration reflects the mutual support and cultural respect shared by both countries.