Artist blends traditional Chinese aesthetics with contemporary styles to attract more customers

More Chinese entrepreneurs are incorporating traditional Chinese aesthetics into their products as a way to more effectively market their goods and attract more customers.

In the city of Dujiangyan, under Chengdu of Sichuan province in Southwest China, entrepreneurs inside the Sustaining Water Forever Culture and Creation Industrial Park are reimagining traditional Chinese culture through the lens of contemporary art forms.

Lingran, founder of Lingran Workshop in the 12,861-square-meter industrial complex, is creating works inspired by Chinese historical tales. One of her most popular designs, "Drunken Concubine", reinterprets the tale of a parrot owned by Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty (618-907) and his favorite consort Yang Yuhuan through anime aesthetics combined with traditional opera elements.

"As post-2000s cultural and creative practitioners, we are committed to integrating anime culture with traditional Chinese heritage through contemporary approaches," Lingran said. "My aim is to help more young people understand and embrace both forms of culture through this creative fusion."

The industrial park has integrated creative design, product development and cultural experiences, housing innovative ventures — including Lingran Workshop, Cat Tea House, and Shihua Tingyu Photography Space.

Lingran gave a group of foreign tourists a tour of her work shop and briefed them on her innovative artwork. The guests appreciated the Chinese cultural motifs, admired Lingran's creativity as the artist, the blending of different cultural styles to create something new a unique.

"As a history teacher, I am always excited to see young people exploring ways to mix modern styles with ancient ideas," Sean Walker, a teacher from the United States now teaching at Guangya School in Dujiangyan, said.

"I can appreciate the hard work and creativity that went into the costumes."

"I loved this great custom workshop, which is beautiful with a Chinese cultural vibe, a beautiful place for photos, and even a tea shop with cats," Negash Hanan Fuad, an Ethiopian student studying at Chengdu Neusoft University, said. "The best part is watching a super talented girl there make amazing handmade things. I was really impressed!"

During the National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, the industrial park, located in Guanxian ancient town, hosted a vibrant anime character parade, turning it into a youthful cultural hub and showcasing how traditional Chinese culture is finding new expressions through contemporary creative forms.

At the Cat Tea House, customers enjoyed Chinese tea while the company of cats provide a cute, relaxing atmosphere.

The Shihua Tingyu Photography Space offered hanfu (traditional Chinese attire) rental services and a number of themed sets for photography enthusiasts.

During the holiday, the park also hosted multiple themed events and displayed over 1,000 types of creative products.

Negash Hanan Fuad suggested that to win more customers, it is also vital to put the complex online. "It's so beautiful and unique it would do really well on Douyin and Xiaohongshu (RedNote). When people see how creative it is and all the details, they'll be excited to come for a visit."

Please contact the writer at hanjingyan@chinadaily.com.cn