Dancing Ink and Water Grace – A Journey into Chinese Art at Carmel College

With the support of the Confucius Institute at the University of Auckland, Carmel College’s Chinese classroom successfully hosted a unique “Water Marbling” art workshop on April 8th. This event, meticulously planned and organized by Chinese teacher Yu Zhang, aimed to provide students with a hands-on experience to delve into the essence of Chinese culture.

Water Marbling, also known as painting on water, is an ancient Chinese art form dating back to the Tang Dynasty. Legend has it that a hermit sprinkled ink on the surface of a pond, and after two days, he laid silk on the water and then removed it, revealing various patterns on the silk. This art form not only showcases the wisdom of ancient Chinese people but also reflects the philosophical idea of living in harmony with nature.

Under the guidance of Teacher Yu Zhang, students learned the basic principles and techniques of water marbling. They used specially prepared paints to create patterns on the water’s surface, then gently laid paper over the water. After the patterns transferred to the paper, they carefully removed it. Each student created a one-of-a-kind piece of art, vibrant with color and brimming with creativity and imagination.

The students’ response to the event was overwhelmingly positive. They expressed that through hands-on practice; they not only learned about this traditional art form but also gained a deeper appreciation for the profoundness of Chinese culture. One participating student said, “It’s amazing! I never thought painting on water could create such beautiful patterns.”

We plan to continue organizing more cultural activities like this in the future, giving students the opportunity to further understand and experience China’s history, art, and culture. We believe that through these activities, students will not only improve their Chinese language skills but also develop cross-cultural communication abilities and a global perspective.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Teacher Yu Zhang for bringing this unforgettable cultural experience to Carmel College. We look forward to more opportunities to explore and learn about the treasures of Chinese culture with our students.