A TOTAL of 263 prints created by 264 artists from 46 countries and regions are on display at the Guanlan International Print Biennial Nomination Exhibition running through Jan. 22.

“To Lose Control” by Mateusz Patrzyk de Oliveira from Poland, employing the intaglio technique, presents a gripping image reflecting our relentless effort to cling onto everything around us, fearing that the world may crumble if we lose control. This stems from people’s insecurity and fear. The artwork prompts the question: Why not try letting go? When we realize that nothing in the world truly belongs to us, everything we attain becomes a gift bestowed by a higher power.

The artist won the First Prize at the eighth International Etching Biennial 2022 in Valladolid, Spain, the Excellence Award, third place at the Utazu Art Awards Biennial 2022 in Japan, and Honorable Mention at the fifth International Guadalupe Posada Print Contest 2022 in Mexico.

Chinese artist Pan Li’s “Theater Series 3 (Concave)” portrays a concave space resembling a theater, evoking a sense of absurdity, alienation, and estrangement. These sensations vividly depict our daily experiences in the digital age, where the boundaries between reality and virtuality, truth and falsehood, are utterly blurred. We currently inhabit a visually saturated era, brimming with performance, play, irony, pleasure, kitsch, collage, imitation, allure, disguise and materiality.

“El Regreso” by Carlos Damacio Gomez from Chile, utilizing the intaglio technique, depicts a defeated tribe wearily trekking back to their village, their spirits weighed down by the pain of defeat. Yet, in the darkness, a glimmer of hope quietly leads the way for their group — a small spirit akin to a guiding bird, pointing towards a hopeful and beautiful path.

Gomez’s artistic focus, influenced by the charming landscapes of Patagonia, revolves around sculpture. His work is a visual exploration intertwining the remnants of ancient civilization with the untamed beauty of Patagonia’s wilderness. Through meticulous carving, Gomez aims to capture the essence of indigenous people lost in time, inviting viewers to imaginatively venture into the depths of these enigmatic cities.

Another exhibition, “Treasures — China Printmaking Museum Collection Exhibition of Contemporary and Modern Printmaking Masters,” running through March 11, showcases the works of esteemed masters spanning from the late 19th century to the present day. These influential figures have not only pioneered new styles and directions but have also profoundly influenced successive generations of artists.

This extensive collection juxtaposes an array of styles and concepts, embodying a diverse artistic spectrum that encompasses modernism, postmodernism, avant-garde, expressionism, fauvism, cubism, surrealism, neo-expressionism, pop art, abstract expressionism, and abstract art.

Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m., closed Tuesdays

Booking: WeChat account “GL_PRINTS”

Venue: China Printmaking Museum, Longhua District (中国版画博物馆)

Metro: Line 4 to Niuhu Station (牛湖站), Exit B (Cao Zhen)