Traditional Chinese craftsmanship is taking on contemporary forms in London, where an exhibition is bringing together intangible cultural heritage and modern design in an exploration of the relationship between people, objects and the inner self.
The 2026 Reviving Craft — Chinese Intangible Cultural Heritage and Contemporary Design exhibition opened on Sept 16 at Somerset House, a landmark arts and cultural center in London, presenting nearly 150 works and sets by more than 70 Chinese and international artists.
Themed "Reflection of the Mind", the exhibition is the final stop of a three-part European tour that previously visited the Musee des Arts Decoratifs in Paris in 2024 and Palazzo Serbelloni in Milan in 2025. It is also an official special project partner of the 2026 London Design Festival.
The London edition is co-curated by Su Dan, a professor at the Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University, and Yang Lan, chairperson of Sun Media Group.
While the Paris edition focused on "Human and Nature" and the Milan edition on "Human and Society", this year's exhibition centers on "Human and Self".
Drawing on traditions of Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism, the exhibition is organized into three sections — "Clear the Mind", "Refine the Mind" and "Nourish the Mind" — using crafted objects to explore ideas of self-reflection, discipline and inner cultivation.
The first section draws on imagery of mountains and stones, with works in ceramics, fiber, lacquer and glass creating an atmosphere of calm and contemplation.
Among them is Moon by Zhi Min, dean of the Sculpture Institute of the Chinese National Academy of Arts. Made of ceramic and metal, the work uses layers of ceramic granules to create a deep blue glaze.
Seal Stones by Shi Hui, a professor at the China Academy of Art, combines Xuan paper and paper pulp with seal-script characters, exploring the relationship between paper and stone, marks and blank space.
The second section brings together ceremonial garments, classical texts, furniture, metalwork and sculpture, highlighting craftsmanship as a process of self-discipline and refinement.
Arts and crafts master Xue Xiaodong applies wood, natural lacquer, gold and mineral pigments to incorporate the lacquer decoration craftsmanship of Pingyao polished lacquerware.
Glass artists Ren Bo, Song Zhengying and Tang Zhenzhen reinterpret the forms of traditional Chinese headdresses through flame-worked glass, transforming a rigid material into forms with the appearance of flowing fabric.
The final section, "Nourish the Mind", moves closer to everyday life, drawing on silk and bamboo instruments, gardens, food culture and spices.
Among the highlights is The Picture of Nine Perfections, a double-sided embroidered folding screen by arts and crafts master Yao Jianping. Made with mulberry silk, black walnut and glass, the work showcases the precision and elegance of Suzhou embroidery.
Other works incorporate botanical and recycled materials. Huang Lu's Symbiosis of Chrysanthemums II, for example, uses plant-based materials to explore ecological themes and the contemporary expression of intangible cultural heritage.
Together, the three sections present traditional craftsmanship not simply as a legacy preserved in the past, but as a source of materials, techniques and ideas that can be reinterpreted through contemporary art and design.
