HAIKOU: In Aleksandra Kuznetsova’s studio in Haikou, the capital of South China’s island province of Hainan, an oil painting of Saint Basil’s Cathedral hangs next to a portrait of a graceful woman from the Li ethnic minority, reflecting two different sides of the artist’s life.
The 24-year-old Russian, who grew up in an artistic family, fell in love with painting at an early age. Six years ago, she moved to Hainan, where she established her own studio.
Her passion for Chinese culture began when she was just 10 years old. “I didn’t have a Mandarin teacher,” she recalled. “I learned the language from the internet, books and TV. I just like the culture of this country.”
In 2018, driven by her passion, Aleksandra came to study in Hainan, where she was captivated by the island’s peaceful natural beauty and relaxed pace of life.
“It’s a very beautiful place and the people here are kind, nice and really down-to-earth,” she said. “Life moves at a free pace and allows them to harmonize with nature.”
She noted that her stay in Hainan allowed her to deeply explore nature and humanity in her artwork, which are her favorite subjects.
Local ethnicity and culture became a part of her life as she traveled the island with her husband, whom she met in Hainan. “We ventured into the heart of Hainan and met different communities. That was the first time I met the Li people,” she recalled.
Brocade Li made a deep impression on her. It is a traditional textile of the Li ethnic group in Hainan, known as a “living fossil” of the textile industry with a history exceeding 3000 years.
“What you see is a woman weaving it (brocade) and telling you a story told by generations before her, like the Dalishen or God of Power who protects us. It gives me inspiration and power to create,” she explained.
She then attempted to capture the intricate patterns and totems of the brocades in her paintings and infuse the local culture into her creations, a process that deeply fulfilled her.
During her time in Hainan, Aleksandra also witnessed the development of local culture.
She said the new cultural landmarks, such as the peaceful Worm Library and the Sky Mountain seaside building, brought her great joy. The latter houses a bookstore, cafes, galleries and an outdoor stage.
Hainan’s art scene is developing, Aleksandra noted, adding that the island’s inclusive and open environment presents rich opportunities for artists.
“In the past few years, I have met many artists, designers, film directors, photographers, musicians and architects here. There are many activities you can participate in. Artists share art, music and the joys of life here,” she said. .
This year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Russia and the beginning of the 2024-2025 China-Russia Cultural Years. Currently, both countries organize a number of cultural exchange activities.
Art has no boundaries and has the power to bridge cultural divides, Aleksandra said. He plans to hold an exhibition showcasing Chinese and Russian culture and hopes to help people from both countries understand each other better through his artwork.
“I will stay in China as long as I can. It is my second home,” she said.
