On April 9th, under the joint initiative of the English Language Centre and the Union, a unique experience activity was held in SGE's lacquer painting workshop. This event, where water took the place of a brush and lacquer served as ink, perfectly fused practicality with artistry, conveying the texture and warmth of Eastern culture.

"Lacquer Painting Fans" is an art form that has been passed down in China for over two thousand years. According to historical records from the Han Dynasty, the initial use of lacquer fans was mainly for royal and noble ceremonies, symbolizing power and status. Over time, lacquer fans gradually integrated into folk life, becoming a unique cultural symbol. The patterns on the lacquer fans are akin to flowing traditional Chinese paintings. Especially the fans made using the "floating lacquer" technique, which ingeniously utilizes the insolubility of raw lacquer in water to create exquisite patterns on the water surface, thus creating a unique visual aesthetic.

The most ingenious aspect is that different colored lacquers, combined with various techniques such as dotting, flicking, bouncing, and stroking, and factors such as the direction of water flow and coloring speed, create unique patterns on each fan. Each fan possesses its own soul and story, making it a unique piece of art in the world. Half nature-made, half man-made, this beauty formed in the flow is like opening a mystery box, where one can never predict what image will present itself until the moment the work emerges from the water, adding a sense of intrigue and mystery.

At the beginning of the activity, Mr. Jon Corbett, the Director of the English Language Centre, represented everyone in welcoming cultural experiencenlists from different departments and cultural backgrounds. The Vice-Chairman of the Union, Lai Xiang, also delivered a passionate speech, introducing various activities promoting multiculturalism in the university.

Under the guidance of Ms. Cissy Sun, everyone carefully tried their hand at the art, starting with bookmarks and postcards. Though it sounds easy, floating lacquer painting tests color matching and aesthetics, technique, and patience. Every participant was engrossed, eagerly anticipating the moment their work took shape. They also expressed sincere admiration for the exquisite fan surfaces freshly completed by their peers, as well as empathetic sighs for those that did not meet expectations, and encouragement to try again by peers.

As the more than one-hour experience activity drew to a close, the participants gradually mastered various techniques and even became more daring in color matching and creative painting. Amidst laughter and mutual critique, everyone completed this journey of experiencing Eastern aesthetics with much delight.