Amid a bustling schedule of citywide art events, the latest Italian art exhibition opened at Qilou Old Street. On the bright morning of September 30, 2025, a new chapter in Haikou’s cultural dialogue unfolded as Classics and Trends, an exhibition of Italian artworks, made its debut as part of the Haikou Art Week. Organized by Veranda Gallery and the Hainan Pastel Painting Association, with support from the Haikou Qilou District Women’s Federation and led by curator and collector Rosanna Ossola, the opening welcomed local officials, scholars, Chinese and international artists, as well as art lovers in what felt like a lively celebration of aesthetic exchange.

A view of Veranda Gallery’s entrance at Qilou Old Street. Photo: courtesy of Veranda Gallery

Uniting Italy and Hainan through 64 Works

Inside the exhibition venue, 64 works covering various periods, media, and styles invite viewers to trace continuity and contrast across Italian visual traditions. On display are paintings and sculptures by contemporary Italian artists such as Thomas Armonia, whose portraits of women merge Western and Chinese aesthetics; Claudio Capotondi; Vincenzo Balsamo; Miryam Cappelletti, known for her textured, pastel-hued mixed-media canvases; Emanuele Cappello; Carlo Desirau; and Antonio Murgia, whose pop art portraits and hyper-realistic fruit paintings exude vitality and a zest for life.

The exhibition also presents digital works by Antonietta Pignatelli, alongside pieces by many other Italian artists, together forming a rich and varied panorama of contemporary expression.

At the opening, Li Shengqi, Professor From Hainan Normal University’s Fine Arts Academy and VP of the Hainan Pastel Painting Society remarked that the selection “clearly shows the temperament of Italian art, offering inspiration through a variety of techniques and brushstrokes that create harmonious and novel combinations of meaning on the canvases.”

Li Shengqi, Professor From Hainan Normal University’s Fine Arts Academy and VP of the Hainan Pastel Painting Society delivers a speech at the exhibition opening ceremony. Photo: courtesy of Veranda Gallery

Reflecting on her curatorial philosophy, Rosanna Ossola said, “I wanted to include a variety of artworks and techniques, and artists that express themselves in their own unique artistic language. I hope to continue organize many exhibitions and cultural activities here in Hainan and continue to promote Italian art and cultural exchange between Italy and China.”

Visitors admire the Italian artwork on display at Veranda Gallery on September 30, 2025. Photo: courtesy of Veranda Gallery

Voices from the Opening

Among those present was Jinx Kele, an American artist currently residing in Haikou. She reflected on the event:“I found the exhibition opening to be both inclusive and professionally run. The comments from Professor Li Shengqi and the curator were genuine and prompted deep reflection. What impressed me most was how the curator masterfully connected the vastly different artworks, tying them together through a compelling exploration of their shared historical and geographical context.”

Former Director of the Standing Committee of the People’s Congress of Longhua District, Haikou City, Dong Mengqing commented on the event by saying, “I feel very honored to be able to admire the boundless charm of Italian art right at our doorstep, without even leaving the country.”

Mongolian singer and professor Wang Naomuhan poignantly observed that, “Stepping into an art exhibition is like opening a door to the unknown, where each painting seems to be a silent storyteller, waiting for us to listen to its tale.”

A group photo of guests and organizers of the exhibition at Veranda Gallery, Qilou Old Street. Photo: courtesy of Veranda Gallery

A Festival of Art in Motion

The Haikou Art Week, which runs from September 28 to October 8, has been designed as an all-city artistic festival, structured into four major segments and spanning 61 projects with nearly 150 events. The goal, according to officials, is to make art more accessible to all citizens and to deepen the integration of culture and tourism. During the week, audiences can expect an eclectic slate of performances, exhibitions, intangible heritage fashion shows and interactive public art installations.

Veranda Gallery, a privately owned establishment, with the support of municipal bodies, women’s federations, local art associations, and international curators, offers an exhibition that underscores the region’s ambition to host more cross-border artistic projects and brings an international flare to Haikou’s historical center.