2011 Guanlan International Print Biennial Preface

Guanlan International Print Biennial is a regular international academic exchange project co-conducted by Chinese Artists Association, Shenzhen Federation of Literature and Art Circles, and People’s Government of Shenzhen Bao’an District. Since 2007, the Guanlan International Print Biennial has been held every two years in Guanlan Original Printmaking Base and it is committed to staging outstanding art exhibitions and fostering a climate for the enjoyment, examination and studies of the artists’ prints. We also promise to present, in the spirit of openness,   original and innovative works from all over the world.

This year we are presenting the Third Guanlan International Print Biennial. In the past two exhibitions, we successfully introduced traditional and innovative artistic ideas and styles. We have promoted the development in artistic genres, themes and techniques. In a word, the latest achievements in the international printmaking have been displayed in full.

The 2011 Guanlan International Print Biennial received 3697 entries by 1991 artists from 81 countries and regions and this made it the biggest print exhibition China has ever put on thanks to the large number of participating artists, countries and regions. We’d like to thank all the artists who submitted their works. Without their active participation, this exhibition would be impossible. By careful evaluation and voting, the jury, composed of the authoritative print artists and experts from America, Belguim, Japan and China, finally selected 908 nominee works, among which 248 entries were chosen for the exhibition. 15 of the 908 nominee works were awarded the Guanlan Print Prize.

Print is both a language with a long history and an effective means of cultural and artistic communication. The Guanlan International Print Biennial marked that the Chinese print is starting to move into the mainstream of international printmaking. In the spirit of "Going out and Bring in", Chinese print, with an open mind, actively engages itself in creating more opportunities for cultural exchanges between China and the rest of the world. We have every reason to believe that this Biennial will give you the opportunity to enjoy the qualities of contemporary printmaking by exhibiting the best works of our time.