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In recent years， cultural and artistic exchanges between China and Africa have continued to develop， and Chinese and African artists have grown ever closer. In addition to Chinese artists visiting Africa， it is not unusual now for African painters to come to China to undergo training， to expose their work or simply to look for inspiration. Such exchanges have been supported by government-sponsored projects aimed at increasing mutual learning between African and Chinese artists. As part of ChinAfrica’s cover stories on cultural exchanges between China and Africa， we asked five African painters who have visited China to share with us their thoughts on what they have gained from taking part in Sino-African artistic exchanges.
Patrick Adoyo Milenye Kenya
I visited China on the invitation of the Chinese Government for a oneand-a-half-month art residency at Chengdu Culture and Art School in September and October 2016， in Sichuan Province. During my stay in China， I had the chance to visit many historical sites around Chengdu City. We visited several art villages where we interacted with Chinese artists， with whom we produced artworks. We were also taken to several museums and art galleries， from where we learned a lot about Chinese ancient and modern art. We also had a chance to meet some of the greatest modern Chinese artists.
After this Chinese experience， I came back to Kenya and set about painting using the knowledge and inspiration that I had brought back from China. These paintings were later exhibited in the Art Village Gallery I established with my friend. The gallery is a direct influence from the Chinese Art Village we visited in Chengdu.
Overall， I learned a great deal while in Chengdu because we were given the right environment to produce artworks. This was my first art residency， and I believe it helped me grow a lot as an artist. I am now able to paint modern art， and I find it easier to relate to other artists around the world. I would not hesitate to attend another residency in China. It is my hope that such cooperation will continue to benefit more artists.
Jahni Wasserfall South Africa
Visiting China， and more specifically Zhejiang Province in the east part of the country， as part of the exchange programs for African and Chinese artists in 2014， has been both an honor and privilege. This opportunity inspired and enriched me on so many levels - not only as an artist. It reconfirmed to me that art has life-changing powers that can cross cultures and boundaries， touching both the heart and soul and stimulating the mind. Not being able to read or understand the language can make one feel a little lost. So I looked at the importance of words and how they become merely “visually appealing imagery” if not understood correctly. This got me to decide on a few words to be repeated in all my artworks in a way that could remind people of traditional Chinese art. This also loads the work with deeper meaning and intent. The words that came up - both as representative of my own personal experience of China， and my good wishes for the country - were hope， love， light， peace and tranquility.
I am going back to South Africa with a better understanding and empathy for the Chinese nation and its hopes and aspirations. China is growing at a fast pace and is embracing and encouraging art in everyday life！
Sallah BarnabéEdem folly togo
There is a saying in my home country that only the child who has never traveled thinks his mother makes the best sauce. In fact， at first， I had a very different vision of China. But today I am amazed at the reality， on the one hand by the efforts made by the country， on the other hand by the touristic sites which have been so well preserved for generations， in addition to the ancient and artistic museums. I was amazed！ The welcome that was given to us in the villages as elsewhere， the photos we took here and there. I have no words to adequately express my feelings of joy.
All in all， it was an unforgettable pleasure for me to get to know China， and in particular its culture and some of its touristic sites. I am honored to have had the opportunity to visit different cities in China and learn about their history， and I hope to have the opportunity to come back to China soon. I wish to thank Zhejiang Provincial Cultural Center and the Chinese Government for giving me this opportunity to exchange and create with my Chinese peers.
Marcellin Minkoe-Minze gabon
At the invitation of the Chinese Government and the Zhejiang Provincial Cultural Center， I was given the chance to visit China in October 2014. This trip enabled me and other African artists to discover and share cultural and artistic values and elements which are sadly unknown in Gabon.
During my visit， I met wonderful and talented artists who knew how to keep track of time through their works in Chinese ink painting， while always expressing their creative genius. We organized a joint exhibition of our creations， proving beyond a shadow of a doubt that art is the only language through which different peoples can communicate with shapes， colors and gestures， and find common sensitivity， whatever their cultures and the remoteness of their continents. China， through this great initiative， has opened the door of “giving and receiving” to the African continent. My eyes saw so many things and my brain was inspired by all those wonders that even time could not erase， especially the old trees in the parks， the thousand-year-old sites and monuments， the tree roots sculpted by time， this diverse and rich cuisine and， first and foremost， these men and women smiling and seemingly silent， but very curious and talkative at the bottom of their hearts.
noah Ezer Kapitapita Malawi
This art residency in 2014 was my second visit to China， as I already visited Tianjin in 2002. But this project has been wonderful， enjoyable and very beneficial to my work as an artist. We visited many different places， which， I believe， have made my creations simpler. The artists I met in China groomed me with some new techniques which I never knew before. I will share this knowledge with my fellow artists in Malawi.
I have definitely enjoyed my stay here. I was part of very good team with artists from four other African countries. The memories of China’s rich cultural heritage will stick in my mind forever. Definitely， there is art in China for one to learn.
Patrick Adoyo Milenye Kenya
I visited China on the invitation of the Chinese Government for a oneand-a-half-month art residency at Chengdu Culture and Art School in September and October 2016， in Sichuan Province. During my stay in China， I had the chance to visit many historical sites around Chengdu City. We visited several art villages where we interacted with Chinese artists， with whom we produced artworks. We were also taken to several museums and art galleries， from where we learned a lot about Chinese ancient and modern art. We also had a chance to meet some of the greatest modern Chinese artists.
After this Chinese experience， I came back to Kenya and set about painting using the knowledge and inspiration that I had brought back from China. These paintings were later exhibited in the Art Village Gallery I established with my friend. The gallery is a direct influence from the Chinese Art Village we visited in Chengdu.
Overall， I learned a great deal while in Chengdu because we were given the right environment to produce artworks. This was my first art residency， and I believe it helped me grow a lot as an artist. I am now able to paint modern art， and I find it easier to relate to other artists around the world. I would not hesitate to attend another residency in China. It is my hope that such cooperation will continue to benefit more artists.
Jahni Wasserfall South Africa
Visiting China， and more specifically Zhejiang Province in the east part of the country， as part of the exchange programs for African and Chinese artists in 2014， has been both an honor and privilege. This opportunity inspired and enriched me on so many levels - not only as an artist. It reconfirmed to me that art has life-changing powers that can cross cultures and boundaries， touching both the heart and soul and stimulating the mind. Not being able to read or understand the language can make one feel a little lost. So I looked at the importance of words and how they become merely “visually appealing imagery” if not understood correctly. This got me to decide on a few words to be repeated in all my artworks in a way that could remind people of traditional Chinese art. This also loads the work with deeper meaning and intent. The words that came up - both as representative of my own personal experience of China， and my good wishes for the country - were hope， love， light， peace and tranquility.
I am going back to South Africa with a better understanding and empathy for the Chinese nation and its hopes and aspirations. China is growing at a fast pace and is embracing and encouraging art in everyday life！
Sallah BarnabéEdem folly togo
There is a saying in my home country that only the child who has never traveled thinks his mother makes the best sauce. In fact， at first， I had a very different vision of China. But today I am amazed at the reality， on the one hand by the efforts made by the country， on the other hand by the touristic sites which have been so well preserved for generations， in addition to the ancient and artistic museums. I was amazed！ The welcome that was given to us in the villages as elsewhere， the photos we took here and there. I have no words to adequately express my feelings of joy.
All in all， it was an unforgettable pleasure for me to get to know China， and in particular its culture and some of its touristic sites. I am honored to have had the opportunity to visit different cities in China and learn about their history， and I hope to have the opportunity to come back to China soon. I wish to thank Zhejiang Provincial Cultural Center and the Chinese Government for giving me this opportunity to exchange and create with my Chinese peers.
Marcellin Minkoe-Minze gabon
At the invitation of the Chinese Government and the Zhejiang Provincial Cultural Center， I was given the chance to visit China in October 2014. This trip enabled me and other African artists to discover and share cultural and artistic values and elements which are sadly unknown in Gabon.
During my visit， I met wonderful and talented artists who knew how to keep track of time through their works in Chinese ink painting， while always expressing their creative genius. We organized a joint exhibition of our creations， proving beyond a shadow of a doubt that art is the only language through which different peoples can communicate with shapes， colors and gestures， and find common sensitivity， whatever their cultures and the remoteness of their continents. China， through this great initiative， has opened the door of “giving and receiving” to the African continent. My eyes saw so many things and my brain was inspired by all those wonders that even time could not erase， especially the old trees in the parks， the thousand-year-old sites and monuments， the tree roots sculpted by time， this diverse and rich cuisine and， first and foremost， these men and women smiling and seemingly silent， but very curious and talkative at the bottom of their hearts.
noah Ezer Kapitapita Malawi
This art residency in 2014 was my second visit to China， as I already visited Tianjin in 2002. But this project has been wonderful， enjoyable and very beneficial to my work as an artist. We visited many different places， which， I believe， have made my creations simpler. The artists I met in China groomed me with some new techniques which I never knew before. I will share this knowledge with my fellow artists in Malawi.
I have definitely enjoyed my stay here. I was part of very good team with artists from four other African countries. The memories of China’s rich cultural heritage will stick in my mind forever. Definitely， there is art in China for one to learn.