A creative community art exhibition opens at Qiyue Bookstore on Dec 20 in Zhangjiagang. [Photo/WeChat account: zhangjiagangfabu365]
A creative community art exhibition was held at Qiyue Bookstore on Dec 20 in Zhangjiagang.
The exhibition contained nearly 100 works, which were created together by contemporary artist Qiao Wanhua, the first artist-in-residence at the community art gallery, and 78 residents with different professions in the city. It was launched in June, completed in six months, and will be open for free until March 20, 2026.
Themed around "hometown scenery" and "upcycled objects", it aims to break the traditional model of art galleries, promoting art's transition from gallery walls to everyday life and from mere observation to active participation.
The "hometown scenery" section featured creators' portrayals of local delicacies, architecture, and culturally significant objects. Meanwhile, the "upcycled objects" section highlighted how creators repurposed discarded items like chairs, baskets, washing machines, and sofas into new works of art.
"This is a car that my friends and I revamped it together. It's so much fun and meaningful to paint on a real car instead of just on paper," said Jin Yueshan, a fourth-grade student, with excitement.
Residents of Zhangjiagang engage in creative practices for the exhibition. [Photo/WeChat account: zhangjiagangfabu365]
Notably, Qiyue Bookstore, which hosts the exhibition, is itself a work of recycled art. It was transformed from a disused old factory, blending weathered concrete walls with dynamic design to offer a sense of historical depth while exuding creative vitality.