Chinese Master Crafters welcomed to Belfast
24th October, 2025
Five Chinese Master Crafters, from Beijing, Shanghai and Hebei, were welcomed to the MAC on Friday 24th October where they demonstrated their unique artistic skills to an audience of local craft designer-makers. The Showcase of Chinese Crafts was presented by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland in partnership with the Chinese Consulate Belfast and Craft NI. It is the first time that an artist delegation of this standing from China has visited Northern Ireland.
Among those present were Chinese Consul General Li Nan as well representatives from the arts sector in Northern Ireland. The artist delegation included, LI Qian, Deputy Secretary General of the China Folk Literature Art Association; LI Shiyi, a Paper Cutting Artist; LIN Hongkui, a Peking Opera Mask Painting Artist; HAN Bing, from Hebei, a Shadow Puppet Artist; and LIU Lei, from Beijing, a Cloisonne Artist.
Gilly Campbell, Director of Arts Development at the Arts Council, said: “This is the first time that an artist delegation of this standing from China has visited Northern Ireland. We offer our thanks to the Chinese Consulate General Belfast and the China Folk Literature Art Association for carefully selecting these five outstanding intangible folk artists to share their work with us today. At the Arts Council, we recognise the importance of diverse collaboration in the arts sectors at home and internationally.
This event represents a further deepening and celebration of our bilateral cooperation with Consul General LI Nan and arts and culture bodies in China. In addition to artists from China being welcomed here, artists from Northern Ireland were recently invited to develop and showcase their work at the prestigious China International Folk Arts Festival, which brings together traditional and folk performers from all over the world."
Consul General Mr. LI Nan, commented: “China has a total of 44 projects listed in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List, ranking the first in the world in terms of the number of entries. The Chinese intangible cultural heritage delegation made its first visit to Northern Ireland, adding a bright spot to the bilateral cultural exchanges. We are willing to work in collaboration with all parties in Northern Ireland to implement the Global Civilisation Initiative, promote cultural and artistic exchanges and mutual learning, and facilitate the deepening of people-to-people ties.”
In addition to this showcase, ACNI has established a residency opportunity for two digital artists in China in the coming year with the help of the Chinese Consulate General Belfast. Both artists will be travelling to China for a residency on specific projects with funding support by the Arts Council.
