Bringing art into your life

The Museum of Art Pudong in Shanghai has launched more than 300 items of official merchandise derived from two heavyweight exhibitions, The Wonder of Patterns: Masterpieces from India, Iran and the Ottoman World from the Musee du Louvre, which opens on Saturday, and Picasso Through the Eyes of Paul Smith, cooperating with Musee National Picasso Paris, which will start on Dec 22.

Drawing inspiration from the intricate patterns found on exhibits in the Louvre exhibition, and Picasso's bold, unbounded visual language, the collection of merchandise transforms the aesthetics of patterns and avant-garde art into everyday objects infused with modernity.

Including heat pads, fridge magnets, notepads and handbags, art-inspired goods inspired by exhibitions, performances and other events have become increasingly popular with museum-goers and art lovers around China in recent years.

Judith Henon, deputy director of the Louvre's Department of Islamic Art and curator of The Wonder of Patterns, tells the media that she and her colleagues from the Louvre love the merchandise developed by the Shanghai museum for this exhibition. "We want to buy the entire collection," she says. "My colleagues at the Louvre have already placed orders online, asking me to help purchase some of the products."

Among the most popular items is a small mirror printed with the rose and nightingale, an important motif in Islamic culture, which is highlighted in the exhibition.

The MAP has gained wide acclaim for its efforts in developing creative products based on popular exhibitions. The museum has been named as 2025's best destination for souvenir shopping by Pudong New Area, an economic hub in Shanghai.

Earlier this year, the museum introduced more than 200 products for the exhibition Paths to Modernity: Masterpieces from the Musee d'Orsay, Paris. Combined with marketplace events, cruise ship tours and an immersive VR experience, the MAP successfully extended the reach of the exhibition, attracting a record-breaking 1 million visitors — more than any other touring exhibition that the Musee d'Orsay has held with an international partner.

Encouraged by the success of the exhibition and the popularity of the codeveloped official merchandise, the Musee d'Orsay has entered into a new agreement with the Shanghai museum.

"Musee d'Orsay has agreed to continue collaborating with us and has authorized us to design and produce new merchandise based on its complete collection of artworks," says Li Minkun, chairman of the MAP, and deputy general manager of Shanghai Lujiazui Group.

"Exhibitions are temporary, but they can have long-lasting effects on public artistic education," she says. "We aim to fully utilize the artistic resources from each exhibition, maximize their value for everyone and bring art closer to people's everyday lives."

This, she notes, underscores the significance of exhibition-related merchandise. Items like mugs, bags and phone holders "become part of your daily life, serving as lasting reminders of the artwork and your visit to the exhibition".

Li also emphasizes the value of master-led design in everyday objects. "The touch of a master artist can transform an ordinary bag into something extraordinary," she says.

For instance, Musee National Picasso Paris is very strict about developing merchandise.

"The museum has extremely high standards for the accuracy of the colors. Many of Picasso's works feature highly saturated colors, and even a slight deviation can affect the perception," Li says. "We made sure every detail meets these rigorous requirements, and successfully captured Picasso's wild imagination and vibrant palette in the satchels, canvas bags and other products created for the upcoming exhibition."