Spanish artist Juan Carlos Paz Gómez, also known by his stage name Bakea, unveiled his Chinese New Year-themed artworks at Shanghai's North Bund on Tuesday, marking the Lantern Festival.
Titled The Power of Transformation, his artworks were developed as part of the Rendez-Vous at North Bund International Artist Residency program organized to celebrate the 2026 Year of the Horse.
The collection features two visual narratives. One poster depicts a galloping horse in red and gold, adorned with traditional Chinese floral patterns against a backdrop of iconic Shanghai landmarks, symbolizing strength and the auspicious promise of success. The second artwork draws inspiration from Shanghai's streets, pairing the horse with a monkey to represent the power of teamwork—fusing the horse's vigor with the monkey's wisdom.
Bakea, who has designed annual zodiac posters at the invitation of the Madrid city government since 2016, noted that shifting his canvas from Spain to China presented a unique challenge.
"Incorporating the Shanghai skyline instead of Madrid required a deeper level of cultural sensitivity," he explained. "The pressure was greater here because the local audience is deeply immersed in Chinese culture and possesses a more discerning eye for how their traditions are interpreted."
Reflecting on his decade-long journey creating Chinese New Year posters in Spain, Bakea noted a significant shift in cultural awareness.
He recalled that in 2016, Chinese New Year celebrations in Madrid were rarely seen. However, the city's parade drew over 110,000 spectators and featured more than 2,000 participants this year.
"People start looking forward to it early, saying, 'I want to see the horse year poster. I know the upcoming year is the Year of the Horse,'" Bakea added. "This would never have happened before—people didn't even know what the zodiac animal of the new year would be."
Shi Yunqi, chief curator of the residency program and director of CV Channel Shanghai center, described the North Bund as "the intersection point of history and the future, East and West".
"Bakea's work precisely captures this spirit," Shi said. "The theme of transformation echoes the urban renewal of the North Bund from a century-old wharf into a world-class waterfront, while symbolizing the creative rebirth that occurs when different cultures collide and harmonize."
The program plans to expand its reach, inviting artists from France, Germany, Russia, and more, to explore fields ranging from sculpture to digital installation, according to Shi.
"This program isn't simply about bringing foreign artists in or sending Chinese artists out," Shi added. "We hope to achieve cultural integration, just as Bakea has done by combining traditional Chinese zodiac culture with his own artistic style and urban characteristics."
