China Pavilion Launches ‘Tracing’ Exhibition at Historic Fort St Elmo
On Friday, March 15, the China Pavilion was officially launched at the first-ever Malta Biennale, hosted at the historic Fort St Elmo in Valletta. The exhibition, titled Tracing, presents over 100 evocative works by acclaimed Chinese artist Yan Shanchun, who draws deep inspiration from the West Lake in Hangzhou, China—a place he intimately knows through decades of personal connection. Organized by the China Cultural Centre in Malta, in collaboration with the Shenzhen International Cultural Exchange Association and the Shenzhen Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television, Tourism and Sports, the exhibition is supported by the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Malta. Tracing will remain open to the public until May 31, inviting viewers on a journey of memory, nature, and artistic reinterpretation.
A Cultural Bridge Between China and Malta Through Art and Memory
During the launch ceremony, dignitaries including Chinese Ambassador to Malta Yu Dunhai, Malta Biennale President Mario Cutajar, and Minister Owen Bonnici underscored the deep cultural ties between Malta and China, highlighting the exhibition as a bridge for dialogue and mutual understanding. Ambassador Yu reflected on Fort St Elmo’s transformation from a fortress to a cultural space, symbolizing how “war destroys, but culture builds.” Artist Yan Shanchun’s works blend traditional Chinese and Western artistic techniques, creating a meditative experience that echoes centuries of visual tradition. Curator Yan Weixin emphasized the shared historical richness of Malta and China, while art critic Dr. John Tancock praised Yan’s fusion of Chinese ink painting and Western fresco-inspired textures. As a new chapter in cultural collaboration, the China Pavilion aspires to foster ongoing artistic exchange between China, Malta, and the broader global art community
