Although most of Shi Xu's foreign students were curious about Chinese characters, remembering their structures and meanings proved challenging. This prompted her to create a set of interactive Chinese character stamps.
In her design, the Chinese character pi, meaning skin, can be broken down into components and reassembled to form a stamp in Chinese seal-script calligraphy. The components depict an animal's head and body, its lifted hide and a hand, illustrating the link between the structure of the character and its original meaning — flaying an animal.
"I hope through my design people will find Chinese characters and intangible cultural heritage interesting and accessible," said Shi, a student majoring in teaching Chinese to speakers of other languages at Tongji University in Shanghai.
Her stamp designs, including pi and three other characters, each telling the story of a Chinese word, were on show in London, Paris, and Hanover alongside other character designs and photos, aiming to promote mutual learning among cultures.
The exhibition, Chinese Characters Link the World — Bridge Civilizational Dialogue, was first launched at City of Westminster College in London on Nov 6 before touring other European cities.
James Wilson, principal of the college, said bringing the exhibition to the campus creates opportunities for exchanges between young people in the two countries. He added that the exhibition would remain on display at the college to encourage students to explore Chinese culture and art.
"What I love about Chinese art is that it's really mixed with old traditions, with a very modern twist," he said, adding that the college's partnership with Tongji had been fruitful over the years and that he hopes to continue the collaboration.
Dozens of guests and students attended the opening ceremony, with many saying they found the artworks on display beautiful and interesting. Members of the college's student union said they appreciated the opportunity to help set up the exhibition.
Shi said her stamp set also included postcards printed with images of intangible cultural heritage, bookmarks for visitors to create their own phrases, and ink pads.
One bookmark design draws on the modern use of the Chinese word pi to describe playfulness or mischief. It reads: "A little mischief brings a lot of joy."
"Chinese characters are a living heritage," said Liang Yijun, vice-dean of the International School at Tongji University. "From oracle bone script to modern digital design, they continue to evolve while carrying traditional ideas forward."
Bi Haibo, a minister counselor at the Chinese Embassy in the UK, said young people represented the future and had much to contribute to the world.
Describing the exhibition's participants as creative, energetic and independent-minded, Bi praised the educational collaboration that provides young people with opportunities to showcase their talents and let their creativity shine.
"It is hoped that exhibitions like this one would encourage further connections and exchanges between young people in China and the UK," Bi said.
Tan Xiaoyan contributed to the story.
