Guanyin with Willow (Mogao Caves) & White Tiger Star Deity (Yongle Palace)

Step into the world of ancient Chinese mural art through this hands-on painting experience.

In this workshop, you’ll recreate iconic fragments from two masterpieces of traditional Chinese mural heritage:

Guanyin with Willow from Mogao Caves (Cave 405, Tang Dynasty) – a graceful figure of the Bodhisattva holding a willow branch, symbolizing compassion and healing.

White Tiger Star Deity from Yongle Palace (Yuan Dynasty) – a powerful Taoist guardian representing the western direction and the metal element in Chinese cosmology.

Participants will work on handmade clay boards (15×20cm) with pre-outlined sketches. Using mineral pigments pre-mixed with animal glue — the same materials used in historical murals — you’ll experience traditional techniques in an accessible way.

No painting experience required.
All tools and guidance are provided, making this a beginner-friendly journey into the stories, symbols, and spiritual depth of Chinese mural traditions.

Bring home a unique artwork — and a piece of ancient China’s enduring beauty.

About the co-organizer

WUJA | The Beauty of Eastern Craftsmanship
Dedicated to exploring and sharing the timeless beauty of traditional Chinese handcrafts, WUJA transforms ancient intangible heritage into immersive contemporary art experiences.

“Sun and moon, stars and constellations; mountains, dragons, blossoms, and insects — each creation carries the soul of its maker.”

物匠WUJA | 东方手作之美 致力于探索与传递中国传统手工艺之美，将古老的非遗技艺，转化为可沉浸体验的当代艺术语言。 【日月星辰，山龙华虫，一物一匠】

About Chinese Culture Week

Chinese Culture Week is an intercultural initiative that brings Chinese artists, creators, educators, and performers to one of the world’s largest arts festivals—the Edinburgh Fringe. First launched in 2024, CCW is designed not just as a showcase, but as a platform for meaningful cultural dialogue between China and the rest of the world. Through theatre, exhibitions, workshops, and live performances, CCW offers a rare opportunity to experience Chinese culture not as a monolith, but as a dynamic, evolving conversation.

CCW is curated and produced by the Intercultural Connections Initiative (ICI), a Scotland-registered community interest company dedicated to fostering cultural exchange through the performing arts. ICI is led by a young and international team of cultural producers, educators, and creative strategists, with roots in both East and West. Together, they bring a fresh perspective to global cultural engagement—one grounded in empathy, innovation, and long-term partnership.

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