As the spring breeze warms Macau, the fragrance of books and the elegance of paintings illuminate the sunny skies, heralding the quiet commencement of an artistic and cultural feast. On the morning of March 18, 2025, Ma Man Kei and Lo Pak Sam College (MLC) at the University of Macau welcomed the renowned Chinese meticulous painter, Ms. Zou Li, who brought a special event titled “Academy of Aesthetic Education · Grand Beauty Workshop: The Beauty of Mulan” to the teachers and students. Through witnessing the creation of a Chinese expressive figure painting, participants learned painting techniques and Mulan culture, attracting many college students eager to explore traditional Chinese art.
At the beginning of the workshop, College Master of MLC Prof. Yang Liu warmly welcomed Ms. Zou. Ms. Zou is a master of meticulous painting, famous for depicting historical female figures of China. She currently serves as the honorary chairman of the Foshan Artists Association in Guangdong Province, a member of the China Artists Association, a researcher at the Guangdong Provincial Government’s Literature and History Research Institute, and a director of the Guangdong Chinese Painting Society. Prof. Yang praised Ms. Zou’s profound knowledge and outstanding artistic achievements, particularly mentioning her thousands of exhibited works in renowned galleries worldwide and over 50 solo exhibitions. Prof. Yang expressed immense honor in inviting Ms. Zou to share her artistic techniques and cultural spirit.
As the theme of this workshop, Ms. Zou first introduced Hua Mulan, a traditional Chinese cultural symbol. She demonstrated the conception and composition of creating expressive figure paintings, emphasizing the importance of brushwork, ink color, perspective, and color, showcasing her exquisite techniques. Ms. Zou also integrated calligraphy elements into her paintings, sharing techniques for balanced composition, allowing participants to deeply appreciate the subtlety of “five colors of ink” and sparking their interest in learning. The workshop concluded with enthusiastic interactions.
Senior tutor, Professor Zhang Yan, director of the Centre for Chinese History and Culture at the University of Macau, distinguished professor of the Faculty of Arts and Design, and master of Chinese painting, first commented on Ms. Zou’s work. He praised the overall composition of Ms. Zou’s painting, particularly affirming the vividness of the horse’s head, encouraging students to learn from her and explore their innovative potential.
At the end of the event, Prof. Yang expressed gratitude to Ms. Zou and presented her with a special MLC commemorative gift. Then, Prof. Yang, Ms. Zou, and the teachers and students of MLC took a group photo centered around the galloping Mulan, leaving precious memories of this event.
This event not only highlighted the importance of art as a bridge for cultural understanding and self-expression but also added a bright touch to MLC’s rich and diverse cultural landscape. The teachers and students not only learned the painting techniques of Hua Mulan but also deeply understood the traditional Chinese cultural spirit of Mulan’s patriotism, bravery, wisdom, gender equality, and self-sacrifice. Meanwhile, Ms. Zou’s superb Chinese painting art left a profound impression on the teachers and students, allowing them to deeply feel the great spirit of love and beauty in inheriting Chinese culture and art through painting.
